Bridgnorth Lions celebrate 50 years of helping the town's good causes

Bridgnorth Lions Club has reached its half century. The club was officially recognised in March 1976, and in March 2026 current members, partners and guests gathered to celebrate 50 years of service and to remember everyone who has contributed to its success.

The original charter members were twenty-one men from the local community, from backgrounds as varied as a haulage contractor, a metallurgical engineer and three bankers. Two of those founders are still members today.

Since 1976 the club has raised hundreds of thousands of pounds from around Bridgnorth and the surrounding area for people who need a helping hand, locally, nationally and internationally. To mark the anniversary, members have been archiving and digitising press cuttings and photographs from the past five decades.

The biggest date in the club's calendar is the Bridgnorth Walk. First held in 1967, it has been organised by the Lions since 2017 and regularly raises more than £100,000 for good causes. In 2019 the club added a marathon for runners, with a challenging route that takes in the top of the 1,770 foot Brown Clee, while shorter Junior and Family Walks start from Cleobury North. The latest walk drew almost 1,000 entrants.

The Lions also run health checks for the town. At their most recent testing event in September nearly 1,000 men and women benefited from tests including PSA, cholesterol and diabetes.

The generosity of local people has gone straight back out into the region. At the end of the 2025/26 charitable year the club donated £9,000, presenting £3,000 each to Hope House Children's Hospices, Lingen Davies Cancer Fund and Severn Hospice.

There is still more to come in the anniversary year. The Lions' Santa's Grotto and Festive Fayre takes place at St Leonard's Church, Bridgnorth, on Saturday 12 and Sunday 13 December, with a chance for children to meet Santa, make treats for his reindeer and hang a message on the Memory Tree, alongside local craft stalls and live Christmas music.

To find out more, join or ask whether the Lions can help a local charity or community group, visit bridgnorthlions.org.uk.