Bexley & Sidcup Lions Club hosted a Charity Bollywood Night on Saturday 22nd March 2025 in Welling, raising vital funds for LIBRA -- the Lions charity dedicated to supporting life-saving blood research at King's College Hospital -- through an evening of music, dance, and community spirit.
What Is LIBRA and Why Does It Matter?
LIBRA (Lions International Blood Research Appeal) is a Lions Clubs charity that funds haematology research at King's College Hospital in London. Since its founding, LIBRA has raised over 4 million pounds for research into blood cancers, clotting disorders, and transfusion science. The charity supports work that directly benefits patients across south-east England and beyond.
Blood disorders affect approximately 1 in 25 people in the UK at some point in their lives. Research funded by LIBRA has contributed to breakthroughs in treatment for leukaemia, lymphoma, and sickle cell disease -- conditions that touch families in every community, including here in the London Borough of Bexley.
What Happened at the Bollywood Night?
The evening brought together residents from across Bexleyheath, Welling, Sidcup, and the wider borough for an evening of Bollywood-themed entertainment. Guests enjoyed:
- Live Bollywood music and dance performances that energised the room throughout the night
- A fundraising auction and raffle with prizes donated by local businesses
- Community networking connecting Lions Club members with supporters and new faces
Events like these are the lifeblood of charitable fundraising. They bring people together, raise awareness of important causes, and generate the funds that enable organisations like LIBRA to continue their research. The turnout was a testament to the generosity of our local community.
How Does Bexley & Sidcup Lions Club Serve the Community?
Bexley & Sidcup Lions Club is part of Lions Clubs International, the world's largest service organisation with over 1.4 million members across 200 countries. Locally, the club supports a range of causes -- from food bank donations and vision screening in schools to charity fundraisers and community events.
As Councillor for Bexleyheath Ward and a committed Lions member, I am proud of the work our club does. You can learn more about the community initiatives I support and the values that drive my public service on the community page.
Why Are Events Like This Important for Bexleyheath?
Charity events do more than raise money. They strengthen the social fabric of our area, connecting neighbours who might not otherwise meet and reminding us that collective action can achieve remarkable things. The Bollywood Night was a perfect example -- a joyful evening that also served a serious and important cause.
Welling and Bexleyheath are communities that show up for one another, and that spirit was very much on display on the 22nd of March.
Get in Touch
If you would like to support LIBRA, get involved with Bexley & Sidcup Lions Club, or learn about upcoming community events in the ward, please contact me. I am always happy to connect residents with opportunities to make a difference.
Cllr Rags Sandhu Bexleyheath Ward, London Borough of Bexley