Presentations & Donations

La Cala de Mijas Fencing Club 

On Saturday the 8th February 2025, the Málaga Fencing Championships took place at the La Cala de Mijas Sport Centre. 100 fencers of all ages from the Málaga clubs were in competition throughout the day. Several Lions attended the event and past Lions president, Anita Humpreys, presented the medals to the winners of the children and youth events.

Lions Present Cheque to the Soroptimists

The Lions paid a visit to the Soroptimists in early January 2025 and presented them a cheque for 2500 € to help them with their aims of supporting women and girls. Founded in 1921, Soroptimist International is a global volunteer movement with a network of just under 65,000 club members in 118 countries. Advocating for human rights and gender equality, at the heart of Soroptimist International’s advocacy is its work across seven UN Centres, where our UN representatives ensure that the voices of women and girls are heard. Our membership work on grassroots projects that help women and girls achieve their individual and collective potential, realise aspirations and have an equal voice in communities worldwide. The cheque was presented by Lions President Karen Blair accompanied by Lions Vice President Sandie Tavendale, Lion Gill Stubbs and Lions Secretary Anita Van Gelder and received by Soroptimist President Daphne Theunissen, Secretary Lene Thygesen and Vice President Aura Roderick.

Bridges Bar help the Lions to help others for Three Kings

 

Congratulations to the customers and staff at Bridges Bar, Riviera, for running a bottle raffle and collecting 21 gifts. Liz Doody, owner of Bridges Bar handed over 700 euros to the Lions who will help those in need throughout the area. In addition, members of the Miraflores Men’s Golf Club also provided items of toiletries and domestic goods that Caritas will distribute to 34 families in La Cala and to 3 welfare families that receive help from La Cala de Mijas Lions. Members of the Lions were present to help with the distribution, ensuring they were received in time for the Three Kings celebrations.

Christmas cheer to Caritas

Every year, a few weeks before Christmas, La Cala de Mijas Lions members provide a present for children of poorer families. As well as the presents the Lions also coordinated the collection of food for needy families. La Cala Lions welcomed 5 Caritas people to their Charity Shop in Calle Torremolinos in La Cala on a Tuesday morning for the presentation of the food, drinks and Christmas presents for the children. Gifts had also been donated by Miraflores Lady’s golf club who provided wonderful wine, chocolate, and goodies for Christmas,  Miraflores Men’s golf club provided wine for Kings Day and the Ladies at Queen Bee knitting group provided gifts and help with the shopping for 2 very vulnerable families. Yvonne and Andy Gray, Evette and Steve Samsom and all the volunteers, friends and the La Cala Lions provided the children’s gifts. Anna Berbugo, from Caritas, thanked the Lions for organising the collection of the food and the generosity in providing the gifts and will arrange distribution to deserving families throughout the area.

 

 

Video clip of the devastation following

storm DANA  29 October 2024

 

 

This video tells the alacrity with which Lions around the world rush to help in major disasters. It shows the dreadful floods which occurred recently in Spain due to the DANA, a lethal weather phenomena which unexpectedly  released torrential rain above Valencia and also other parts of the country including the Province of Malaga. The clip shows the aftermath of storm Dana in Valencia and the destruction suffered by the Valencian people. The clean up continues but it will be several months before the community gets back to normal. Donations are being sent to the area but it will take a long time for this city to recover. Money has been coming in to the area from many sources. Clothing, food and cleaning materials are arriving every day. Lions International have sent a substantial amount of money and our La Cala de Mijas Lions are sending van loads of clothing and other items.  Social events are being organised to raise money for the disaster, the next one being an 80’s Cabaret Night at Legends Show Bar in La Cala de Mijas. Go to the events page for further details.

 

 

Surprise Visitors to Lions Meeting

The Lions were all gathered and waiting for their meeting on September 11th to start,

when in walked the Family of one of the many children that they have been helping.

This child has been helped in his fight against a long illness and several operations since 2021.

The family thanked the Lions for their help and support and even little Adán managed to say a

few words in English in thanks, The family presented a plaque of thanks to the Lions,

which will be on display in the Lions charity shop.

 

 

LCI award to Wynson Beswick

At the end of the September 11th Lions meeting, Lions President Karen Blair presented
an LCI award to Lions Wynson Beswick for introducing two new members to the Lions.

 

 

 

 

 

Inauguration of a new Lion

The inauguration of a new Lion took place at the Lion’s meeting help on 11 September 2024. Susan Hazzard was introduced to the Lions by her sponsor Lion David Kay. Lion’s President Karen Blair conducted the ceremony and welcomed Susan into the worldwide Lions organisation. Should you wish to find out more about the Lions, please read the brochure on the front of this website. The La Cala de Mijas Lions meetings are held on the 2nd & 4th Wednesday of the month at Olé Restaurant in La Cala de Mijas.

 

 

 

 

 

La Cala de Mijas Lions donate to AECC

The AECC (The Spanish Association Against Cancer) are involved with patients, families, volunteers and professionals, who work together to prevent, inform, be with people and fund cancer research projects. Founded in 1953, the mission of the AECC is the fight against cancer, leading the efforts of the Spanish society to decrease the impact of this disease and to improve the people’s quality of life. Brenda Meredith during her post of President donated 1000€ to this deserving cause.

 

 

 

Lions send money to Ukraine to help war effort

During her Presidency, Brenda Meredith asked Lions members to donate 1000€ to assist Ukraine in their defense of their country from the Russian bombardment and infiltration onto Ukrainian soil. The money was sent to Ukraine to purchase much needed camouflage netting for use by the Ukrainian military for concealing their locations. The picture, sent by the staff at the military depot in Ukraine, show the nets waiting to be distributed to the troops to enable them to continue their fight against the Russian bombardment and to help them stay safe.

 

 

 

 

Presentation to Fundación Olivares

The La Cala de Mijas Lions prior to their meeting at Bar Olé in La Cala, gathered on the terrace to present a cheque for 1,500 € to Fundación Olivares, a children’s cancer support organisation established in 2007 after Andrés Olivares Diaz lost his son, aged 9, to leukemia. Fundación Olivares provide help for families dealing with children with cancer. They provide speech therapy, social events and have a special room in the hospital for families to use and all their services are free for the suffering families.

Article written by Fundación Olivares founder Andrés Olivares Diaz

“It would be difficult to explain who I am after the death of a son at just nine years old due to leukemia…

My name is Andrés, a father who lived through the toughest, most painful and traumatic test that life can put in front of you. It seems that it is not enough to lose your son but, in addition, you have to live through a devastating disease process.

That’s how it was, that’s how I spent one long year hoping every time that good news would arrive, hoping that one day the definitive news would appear: “Luis has been cured”. Between some hope, an infinity of bad news slipped through that made it more difficult to stay on my feet. Yet, without realizing it, you are learning from your son every day, he talks to you, looks at you, hugs you, expresses himself and you observe that for him his values and way of being remains immovable. Friendship, Generosity, Delivery, Love and of course, his Smile. It’s incredible how a 9-year-old boy with cancer can comfort a father who is dejected by exhaustion and despair. There was Luis, always showing me an example of improvement, making everyone who approached him and spend five minutes with him fall in love. He was that Angel who wrapped you with his wings and transported you to a magical world, where the disease passed into the background, where there was only laughter, games, hugs and a light in his eyes that illuminated his entire world.

A child who left his mark in the form of LOVE, so much so that, in one of the many conversations I had with him, he suggested the possibility of helping other children who were “bad” like him. I know that he would have loved to do it in life with me, but his little body could not bear so much poison inside. His physical deterioration every day made his heart stop on January 15, 2007 and his soul flew to his magical world, from where he guides me today to do what he always wanted, help children with cancer.”

Andrés Olivares Diaz

Founder of Fundación Olivares

Coffee in the ADIMI garden enjoyed by La Cala de Mijas Lion

On a very pleasant Friday, the La Cala Lions plus Max, a volunteer at ADIMI and Christina a volunteer and interpreter, visited the gardens of ADIMI in La Cala Hills. They were welcomed by Laura Villiers who is the Secretary/Administrator of ADIMI.

Some of the younger children at the centre recently were invited to the Lions Childrens’ Memory Day, a day for suffers of Childhood Cancer. The morning was arranged to thank the Lions for their donation of 1980€ made last year that has helped the remodelling of the garden and the installation of a coffee bar which is manned (with a supervisor) by some of the residents. Other residents came out to meet the Lions and to present them with a gift that the residents had made from wood in their workshop. The Lions enjoyed the excellent coffee made by the young baristas. Miguel, a worker at the centre, said they have currently twenty residents with room for another two if required. The residents come from all over the Malaga province, the farthest being from Nerja; there is only one similar facility in Estepona. The TV and Mijas Communications arrived to record the occasion and interviewed the Lions and members of ADIMI.

Before the Lions donated the money, the garden was just soil and dead flowers near the carpark. It has now been grassed, with walkways and the little café with tables and parasols, a few games, a basketball hoop and a swing ball game. The Lions have pledged another 2000€ to the centre which will be used to further develop the garden so residents can enjoy the joys of the garden in a safe environment.

 

La Cala de Mijas Lions help a young man to enjoy sounds

The Lions gathered outside their Charity Shop in Calle Torremolinos in La Cala de Mijas for a photo with Steven, a local young man. The Lions were told about Steven’s severe hearing loss by Angela from Ibex insurance, one of the Lions’ sponsors. Carla from the hearing centre Futura Hearing Centre provided the life changing hearing aids, that can be controlled by his mobile phone, at a special price. Steven has had the hearing aids for just a few weeks and is very pleased with them and is amazed how they have greatly enhanced his life and brought back his ability to hear sounds again. If you would like further information about the Lions and future events, their next event is a Summer Fair and Fashion Show on Sunday 2nd June being held in Butibamba Park in La Cala de Mijas, go to their website at www.lacalalions.org, or visit their Charity Shops.

 

XVI Gala Mijas en Femenino International Women’s Day Gala 8 March 2024

March 8th was a perfect date to honour a La Cala de Mijas Lion, Anne Bowles. International Women’s Day was first celebrated by The United Nations in 1975, which had been proclaimed the International Women’s Year. In 1977, the United Nations General Assembly invited member states to proclaim March 8 as an official UN holiday for women’s rights and world peace. Over 400 people gathered at the Fuengirola Theatre for a presentation to 6 women who have served the Mijas people in various ways. The hour presentation, hosted by Mijas TV introduced the Mijas Mayor, Ana Mata, who presented the awards to the 6 recipients. Prior to each presentation there was a short film outlining the work in the community of each recipient. Anne in her address to the auditorium outlined her 20 years in Spain and the establishing of the Diabetic Support Group within the La Cala de Mijas Lions.

Bridges Bar help La Cala Lions support needy families

Bridges Bar owner Liz Doody and her customers once again have shown their generosity in raising00€ over the Christmas period, enabling La Cala de Mijas Lions to buy much needed food for 33 families. They also provided gifts for the children of the families. The food and gifts were delivered to Caritas in La Cala who arranged for the 33 families to collect them in time for the 3 Kings Celebrations.

For further details about the Lions, visit their website at www.lacalalions.org or their Charity Shop in Calle Torremolinos, La Cala de Mijas.

La Cala Lions bring joy to children and families at Christmas

Every year, a few weeks before Christmas, La Cala de Mijas Lions members are given the task to provide a present for children of poorer families. As well as the presents the Lions also coordinated the collection of food for needy families. This year the Lions were helped with the food collection by their shop volunteers, Miraflores Golf, Ladies and Men’s sections, Chapparal Golf Ladies Captain Joyce and Team, Queen Bee Knitting Circle Calahonda, Steven and Evette Samsom and Yvonne Gray. The list of the children’s names age and sex are provided by Caritas in La Cala. The lions carefully find suitable items for the children and wrap them in festive wrappings and store them in the Lions Charity Shop in La Cala.

Once the presents were ready and the food collected, the Lions and others who helped with the supply of the food all gathered outside the Lions Charity shop for the presentation to Caritas by Lions President, Brenda Meredith. The Director of Caritas, Anna, accompanied by Parish Priest, Juan, accepted the gifts and food. After photos were taken, everyone helped with the transportation of the items to the Caritas building in Calle Cartama in La Cala. A total of 35 families in need will be helped by Caritas with the food collected and 23 children from age 2 to 13 will receive a beautifully wrapped Christmas present from the Lions.

The Lions take the nuns on a Supermarket Sweep

La Cala de Mijas Lions met with the “Hermanitas de las Pobres” (The Sisters of the Poor), Nuns from Ronda, at the Mercadona Supermarket in La Cala for the annual Christmas purchase of food for the Nuns. Lions President, Brenda Meredith, fellow Lions and an interpreter were waiting to greet the Nuns and their driver, along with Maria Serrano, the manager of the La Cala de Mijas Mercadona. Taking just under an hour, five large trollies were groaning under the weight of the selected items. As the trollies were loaded, Mercadona staff were following behind restocking the shelves. The items were scanned through the checkout and Lions Treasurer, Gill Stubbs, handed over the requested amount. The goods were then taken up to the car park and packed into the Nun’s van and after thanks the Nun’s made their way back to Ronda. This annual event is one of many that the Lions undertake each year in supporting charities throughout the area. For further information about the Lions and future events, visit their website at LaCalaLions.org or their Charity Shops in Calle Torremolinos in La Cala. Tel: 637 185 533

Lions visit Adintre facility in Fuengirola

Lions President, Brenda Meredith and 3 lions paid a visit to Adintre in Fuengirola and were met by Joyce Gyimah, the brains behind the organisation and facilities that cares for the homeless and families in need of support. The Lions arrived at 11am and the centre had already provided breakfast for 80 homeless and the tables were set for lunch. The building occupied by Adintre has three facilities designed to make the homeless lives more comfortable. The first facility provides showers twice a week, with a total change of clothing, as well as providing breakfast and lunch each day. The second facility is for families in need of help with food, a massive food bank piled high with provisions including meat from the cold stores, one of which was recently provided by the Lions. The third facility is Adintre’s charity shop, raising much needed funds from the hugh selection of clothing, electrical goods, ornaments and even wedding dresses. Upstairs there is a comprehensive range of furniture. The charity shop is open six days a week from 10am to 3pm. Adintre is efficiently run by Joyce at the helm supported by two social workers, volunteers and several students from Malaga University, all with the same aim, to help the homeless and families that need help to survive.

La Cala de Mijas Lions visit APAFFER

On a pleasant Thursday afternoon 8 Lions paid a visit to Apaffer in Fuengirola. Apaffer is an association of patients with fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue and other rheumatic diseases. Fibromyalgia is a chronic (long-lasting) disorder that causes pain and tenderness throughout the body, as well as fatigue and trouble sleeping. Scientists do not fully understand what causes it, but people with the disorder have a heightened sensitivity to pain. They are aware of the benefits of group activities and finding an activity that involves both motivations to learn, encouragement to develop creativity and the possibility of working as a team and finding support and understanding from people who are in the same situation. The association has already launched an Occupational Service since its inception 2006 which includes various activities that meet the needs and concerns of different members. Activities offered include social care, psychological attention, physiotherapy, osteopathy, tai chi, pilates, yoga and oriental medicine. There is currently no curative treatment for these diseases so the goal is, the relief of symptoms and adaptation of the patient. Progress in research has opened a door that might find an effective treatment for some of the patients with Fibromyalgia or Chronic Fatigue in the future. Most of their helpers in their workshops are volunteers and thanks to their efforts and dedication the Apaffer members enjoy activities such as painting, crafts and sewing. Some 20 Apaffer members welcomed the lions with a table full of food and drink for all to enjoy. Lions President Brenda Meredith presented a cheque for 1000€ to Apaffer President María Mercedes González Estévez

 

La Cala Lions present awards at Fencing Tournament

Last weekend the first championship of the Malaga Fencing League, “Boquerón de Acero” (“Steel Anchovy”) was held at La Cala de Mijas Sports Centre. “Boquerón is the nickname for the people born in Málaga.  A total of 93 fencers from 6 clubs took part in the competition. Members of the La Cala de Mijas Lions, who sponsor the Mijas Fencing Club, presented the cups to the winning fencers. The 15 fencers from the Mijas fencing Club performed very well with very good results, gaining 2 gold medals and 3 silver. Ana Belinchón won gold in master female epee and Rebeca López won silver. Joaquín Ribera won gold in the male epee and Ludmila Durán won silver in the female epee. In the master male epee, Edu Sánchez, coach of the Mijas club, won the silver medal in a very hard final match. This championship also had a competition for paralympic fencers who use wheelchairs and competed in the same competition as everyone else. In this group, the Spanish international paralympic fencer Antonio Garrido, from the Torremolinos Fencing club, won bronze medal in this competition.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Miraflores Golf Club present a cheque to La Cala de Mijas Lions

La Cala de Mijas Lions were asked by the golf captains of Miraflores Golf Club to attend a presentation of a cheque for 4000 €. The money had been raised by the Golf Club at various events. Club captains for 2022-2023, Jan Goodman and Paul Barrett presented the cheque to Brenda Meredith, the current President of the La Cala de Mijas Lions and six members of the Lions. The money will be wisely spent by the Lions in the help they give to deserving causes throughout the locality. The Golf Clubs captains for 2023-2024, Jo and Marco, have pledged their continued support in helping the Lions. For further information about the Lions, visit their website at www.lacallions.org or the Charity Shops in Calle Torremolinos, La Cala de Mijas or telephone 637 185 533

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Equine Therapy Centre – Presentation of a cheque for the purchase of a horse

La Cala de Mijas Lions present a cheque for the purchase of a horse for the

Equine Therapy Centre at Costa del Sol Hippodromo

Last year, Wynson Beswick, the then president of La Cala Lions club asked Flavio and Virginia, who run the centre if there was anything our club could help them with.  Flavio explained that their load bearing horse had died and they were looking to replace him but during Covid they were not able to look for a replacement.  Earlier this year they found a beautiful mare, just what they were looking for and they are very proud of her, she is a 20-year-old mare and already a firm favourite of the pupils who attend the centre and is a very strong, but gentle horse.    She has been named Romera, (Rosemary in English), romera is also the name of a healing herb, and there is a Romera Horse Festival in Cadiz.

On a bright Tuesday morning, the 10th of October, the cheque for the purchase of the horse was presented by this year´s president, Brenda Meredith, together with last year´s president Wynson Beswick and members of the La Cala Lions Club and friends. The councillor for Sports, Tamara Vera and the Sport Co-ordinator Jose Manuel from La Cala Town Hall were also present with their photographer.

A young mum, Jodie takes her little boy Charlie (3) to the centre every week for his therapy on one of the smaller ponies, Romera is a bit too big for Charlie, but his face lit up when Flavio lifted him onto the horse´s back and led him round the paddock.  We hope the centre can carry on helping the pupils ride enabling them to gain composure and confidence with the horses. For further information about the Lions and future events go to their website at www.lacalalions.org or visit their charity shops in Calle Torremolinos, La Cala de Mijas or Tel: 637 185 533.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

La Cala Lions sponsor the giants of sport

Volleyball was invented in 1895 by William G. Morgan, physical director of the Young Men’s Christian Association (YMCA) in Holyoke, Massachusetts. It was designed as an indoor sport for businessmen who found the new game of basketball too vigorous. Nowadays it is a very popular sport especially here in La Cala de Mijas where it is often seen being played on our beaches. We are lucky enough to have our very own champions. Clubdeportivo Mijas Voley or Club Voleibol who are deserving champions having come first in Malaga and Andalucia competitions as well as recently coming 6th out of 32 teams in Asturias Camponata de España – their first time to compete with older players from big teams from all over Spain including Barcelona and Madrid.- formerly they were in the juvenile section. A lot of their success is due to their coach Isoil Perez who was a world champion player from Cuba. He is just as tall as you would expect a volley ball player to be! The La Cala Lions were happy to donate 2000 euros recently to the club to help them to expand and Wynson Beswick the Lions President received warm thanks from the team at the recent presentation and she was delighted to be handed a plaque in appreciation for the Lions from the team.

 

Royal British Legion could help you!

The La Cala de Mijas Lions were delighted to present the Royal British Legion with a cheque for 1000 euros recently. This British charity was founded in 1921 and helps many men and women who have actively served in the United Kingdom Armed Forces, as well as helping their families too. The Royal British Legion has branches both in the United Kingdom and in various parts of the world, raising money for their beneficiaries. All the money raised in Spain is used to help those who live here now. Every year in November we see the members busy offering poppies and holding remembrance services to honour those who died in service. They explained they try to help those in need who require assistance through lack of mobility, essential help to buy staple food etc, support in times if grief , help with domestic items, counselling for mental health and much more. If you feel they could help you they are very nice, approachable people and would be glad to try to do all they can for you and your family.

Mijas Felina

La Cala Lions present 1400 euros to Mijas Felina

La Cala Lions are proud to provide financial support to this important local Charity. Mijas Felina works tirelessly sterilizing stray cats in the Mijas area. Over 100 members take the cats into their own homes, to care for them, these cats are not kept in catteries and receive tender loving care whilst they are in the members’ homes. Sometimes kittens are found alongside the mothers and these kittens are also taken into the members’ homes until they are old enough to be adopted.

 

Donkey Dreamland

LA CALA LIONS RAISE 1500 EUROS FOR DONKEY DEAMLAND.

DONKEY DREAMLAND WAS EXACTLY THAT – A REALLY LOVELY EXPERIENCE. LIONS CHAIRPERSON WYNSON AND 12 LIONS VISITED DONKEY DREAMLAND TO PRESENT 1500 EUROS. THIS FEEDS THE DONKEYS FOR 3 MONTHS!

THIS WAS SO EXCITING THAT THE CENTRE INVITED US ALL FOR AN ANDALUCIAN BREAKFAST. BEFOREHAND THE DONKEY DREAMLAND FOUNDER, AMAYA ISERT, TREATED THE LIONS TO A VERY INFORMATIVE TALK ABOUT THE CENTRE AND THE DONKEYS.

DONKEY DREAMLAND IS ONLY 5 MINUTES FROM LA CALA. SURROUNDED BY BEAUTIFUL COUNTRYSIDE, WE HEARD HOW DONKEYS HAD BEEN BEASTS OF BURDEN FOR OVER 5000 YEARS. ORIGINALLY FROM THE DESERT, THEY HAD ADAPTED TO LIFE IN SPAIN. AT ONE TIME THERE WERE OVER ONE MILLION DONKEYS IN SPAIN.

TODAY THERE ARE 33,000 DONKEYS REMAINING. SADLY, SOME DONKEYS ARE BADLY MISTREATED AND DONKEY DREAMLAND IS ONE OF SEVERAL CENTRES WHICH CARE FOR MISTREATED DONKEYS. SOME ARRIVE WITH HOOVES BADLY DEFORMED AND THE DONKEYS RESORT TO WALKING ON THEIR HEELS. SOMETIMES THEIR COAT IS SO BADLY MATTED, IT CAUSES THEM GREAT DISCOMFORT. MANY DONKEYS HAVE BEEN KEPT BY OWNERS PURELY FOR BREEDING PURPOSES UNTIL THEY DIE.

TODAY DONKEYS ARE OFTEN KEPT AS TOURIST ATTRACTIONS, BUT THESE ANIMALS ARE OFTEN TETHERED AND THIS CAN CAUSE SUCH DISTRESS AS THEY CANNOT EVEN BRUSH OFF A FLY BY MOVING THEIR HEAD. THESE DONKEYS ARE OFTEN WASHED EVERY DAY SO THEY ARE CLEAN FOR THE TOURISTS. THIS IS ALSO CRUEL TO DONKEYS AS THEY ARE USED TO DESERT LIFE AND MAY GET DERMATITIS WITH A WET COAT. AT DONKEY DREAMLAND THEY GET ONE SHOWER BEFORE SUMMER.

AT DONKEY DREAMLAND WE WERE INTRODUCED TO SEVERAL OF THE DONKEYS. SOME AS LARGE AS HORSES AND SOME LIKE SMALL PONIES. THERE WAS ALSO A FOAL.

IT WAS SIMPLY A WONDERFUL DAY. DONKEY DREAMLAND DOES AN AMAZING JOB GIVING THE DONKEYS A NEW LEASE OF LIFE WHERE THE PUBLIC CAN VISIT THEM.

PLEASE VISIT WWW.DONKEYDREAMLAND.COM FOR FULL DETAILS. A VISIT IS A MUST!