Guests

International Guest - PID Kenneth Persson

Kenneth PerssonKenneth Persson from Vellinge, Sweden, was elected to serve a two-year term as a director of Lions Clubs International at the association’s 95th International Convention held in Busan, Korea on the 22nd of June 2012.

Past Director Persson is the CEO and owner of an education company.

A member of the Reng Höllviken Lions Club and a Lion since 1986, he has held many offices within the association, including club president, district governor, GMT coordinator, multiple district LCIF chairperson, multiple district Leo chairperson and council chairperson.

In recognition of his service to the association he has received numerous awards including a medal of merit, an International Leadership GMT Award, Presidential Certificate of Appreciation, two International President’s Awards and the Ambassador of Goodwill Award, the highest honour the association bestows upon its members. He is also a Progressive Melvin Jones Fellow.

Past Director Persson’s wife, Eva is also a Lion and Melvin Jones Fellow.


Other Guest Speakers

Molly Watt - Molly Watt Trust 

Molly WattThe Molly Watt Trust was set up to raise awareness of Usher Syndrome, a rare genetic condition which was discovered by Scottish Ophthalmologist Charles Usher back in 1914 it causes both Deafness and Retinitus Pigmentosa (a form of blindness).

Usher Syndrome is a progressive condition and to date there is no cure. Usher Syndrome not only affects hearing and sight but also causes considerable difficulty with mobility and communication and in effect can lead to isolation and depression.

See Molly's website www.molly-watt-trust.org


Dr Charles Fox - Diabetes UK

Dr Charles FoxI qualified in medicine from Oxford University and St. Thomas' Hospital and trained in diabetes centres at Leicester, Poole, St Thomas', Exeter and Bristol.  Since 1980 I have been consultant physician with a special interest in diabetes at Northampton General Hospital.  I now work in the hospital R&D department and for Leicester University.

My special interests in diabetes are education, communication and patient empowerment, with particular emphasis on diabetes in people at each end of the spectrum, that is young adults and older people with diabetes. Since 1986 I have organised an annual counselling and empowerment course for health care professionals working in diabetes.

I have worked with the R&D unit at Northampton General Hospital since it was founded in 1982 and have been Principal Investigator in a large number of studies, including UKPDS, DESMOND, 4T and FOURIER.

I have recently become interested in the problem of diabetes and dementia and the training of professionals who work in this area.

Co-author of the following books:


Austin Willett - Different Strokes

Austin WillettAustin Willett is Strategic Business Manager of Different Strokes, a national charity which supports younger stroke survivors.  

Approximately 25,000 people of working age or younger have a stroke each year, and Different Strokes helps people to reclaim their lives through active peer support and independent recovery.  

Austin has spent 20 years working in the community sector in a variety of roles and has in-depth experience of the rewards and frustrations which come from working for charitable organisations.  

His previous positions include managing charity shops, managing a furniture reuse project and as CEO of a counselling organisation.  He also spent two years with Voluntary Service Overseas, as an advisor to regional government in Vanuatu.  Austin has also managed a Headway group, which supports people with a brain injury and he joined Different Strokes in January 2018.