THE president of Aberystwyth Lions Club has been presented with a prestigious award in recognition of his “selfless dedication”.

Benjamin Manluctao, who is also owner of the Central Fish Restaurant, Chalybeate Street, was presented with the District Governor’s Certificate of Appreciation during a visit by the Lions Clubs International’s 105W District Governor, Keith Wilding.

This is the second award Mr Manluctao has received this year after he was presented with the 2015-2016 Club President Award at the club’s 41 Charter night.

Aberystwyth Lions Club, headed by Mr Manluctao, gave total support to the organisation’s district effort in the Centennial Service Challenge of ’Sharing a Vision’, which included carrying out the distribution of over 1,500 pairs of reading glasses to indigent members of the community in Northern Philippines.

“I was delighted to receive recognition from the District Governor,” said Mr Manluctao. “The gift of sight is a large part of the work of Lions Clubs within communities.

“It sounds like a big task, but by the simple activity of collecting used and now unwanted spectacles, thousands of people will benefit directly.

“I would convey my grateful appreciation for all the support given by members of the community for the Spectacles Collection Project, and particularly to those who personally delivered unwanted reading glasses to me at the Central Fish Restaurant.”

The spectacles were sorted and graded, and the re-useable pairs were distributed to clinics and eye camps in communities across Africa, India, the Philippines, the Far East, and Eastern Europe, in partnership with Medico France.

Mr Manluctao added: “The value of this project is that people who cannot see clearly will have their vision improved, their independence returned, and the ability to lead a productive life ahead of them.

“I thank the members of Aberystwyth Lions Club for their whole-hearted support, and also the town’s opticians, who have backed the Sharing a Vision project.”