The Burnley Lions celebrated their 49th charter lunch at the Prairie Sports Village.

An organisation, devoted to doing good works in the community, has held its 49th charter lunch.

President of Burnley Lions Frank Seed welcomed guests from fellow organisations across the North West to the three course lunch at Prairie Sports Village.

Accomplishments achieved by the Burnley arm of the international organisation in the past year include distributing 600 ‘messages in a bottle’. These are capsules that contain vital medical information people store in their fridge for assistance in an emergency situation.

In 21 years Burnley Lions have distributed 11,500 bottles in Burnley and 4,000 in Pendle.

Around seven and a half thousand used spectacles have been re-packed for charities to distribute and environmentally, the Lions contribute towards mopping up CO2 by planting tree whips from the Woodland Trust each year.

Working in conjunction with Burnley Borough Council and the Trees For Burnley volunteers this year Lions helped to plant 105 at Bank Hall and it has been granted 420 for planting next March.

The Lions have supported two families in desperate need of furniture and also helped a young mum with a grant for nappies and a car seat for her child who has complex health needs. They also helped a housebound lady by purchasing a new wheelchair and replaced a folding scooter for another lady who had hers destroyed by vandals who broke into her car.

Internationally, Burnley Lions, who are the driving force behind the Macular Society support group, have made contributions towards the Goa flooding appeal, the Venezuela earthquake appeal and another towards emergency maternity bags of materials needed for the care of mothers and babies when they give birth in war-torn areas of Ukraine.

The group also hosted a coffee and cake morning to raise £600 for two girl scouts towards their costs of attending the International Scout Jamboree in Poland next year.

Mr Seed paid tribute to Lion Sue Hunt who has knitted dozens of hats, cardigans and blankets for charities dedicated to caring for babies born ill or premature.

Sue’s granddaughter Esther Lord (11) was presented with a certificate of commendation for always being on hand to help out at Lions’ fund raising events.