About us
Our best-known event is the annual Great Knaresborough Bed Race on the second Saturday in June. The Knaresborough Lions have had full responsibility for organising it since 1999.
We have a calendar of other fun and fundraising events through the year, including the Knaresborough Lions Beer Festival and touring the town with Santa and his sleigh before Christmas.
We help run the Knaresborough Christmas Market, together with the Chamber of Trade and the Rotary Club. We run a popular mulled wine stall at the Christmas Market and also at Knaresborough's annual Bright Friday event in late November.
From the funds we raise, we give donations to help with particular needs of local charities, sports clubs, medical facilities and other organisations. We support initiatives in schools and community centres, and help individuals and families facing hardship.
At Christmas, we help with funding and distributing food parcels for the elderly, and we run an afternoon tea for those who might otherwise be on their own.
We also volunteer as marshals and stewards at many community events in the local area. You can often see us in our distinctive tabards - do come and say hello!
Our club is part of Lions Clubs International (LCI), the world’s largest service organisation. It is a non-political network of 1.4 million volunteers in about 46,000 clubs in over 200 countries.
LCI raises funds for a variety of international causes, including disease prevention and support programmes.
When a humanitarian crisis strikes, such as floods or an earthquake, the Lions Clubs International Foundation (LCIF) works with and is guided by members of local Lions Clubs, making sure funds and efforts go where they are needed on the ground.
Up to 20% of funds raised by the Knaresborough Lions are donated to international causes.