THE charitable efforts of Blackmore Vale Lions Club (BVLC) have been honoured with a special award.

President of the group, Peter Oswick, recently surprised members by announcing it had received a Lions Club International Foundation (LCIF) award for work collecting and donating money to charities as part of the International Foundation 100 Project.

“By implication, this award from LCIF pays tribute to the people of the Blackmore Vale since it is your generous charitable donations to BVLC collections, requests for sponsorship and events that provides the money for BVLC’s charitable donations,” a spokesperson said.

The 100 Project, set up by LCIF, set out to help and empower 100 million people in the year 2021/2.

A plaque awarded to the club is entitled 100 Project 200 because, not satisfied with helping 100 million people, LCIF achieved double its target.

New work as part of Project 100 has included grant programmes to tackle childhood cancer and hunger, as well as alleviating the hardship caused by Covid-19.

The target to raise and distribute US$300 million in a year was exceeded by some margin, the club said.

“When we know the numbers we will let the people of the Blackmore Vale, our guests and visitors know,” the spokesperson added.

“In the meantime, on behalf of disadvantaged and less well-off people the world over, ‘thank you’ from BVLC to the generous people of Blackmore Vale.”