THE ALI DATOO LIONS AWARD

The late Lion Ali Datoo was a highly respected member of Lions International and participated in very many events at both National, District level and, of course with his own local Haywards Heath Lions Club Lion Ali by profession was an eminent pharmacist and headed up the Pharmacy department at the Haywards Heath based Princess Royal hospital.
Following Ali's untimely death in 1998, Haywards Heath Lions Club set-up the Ali Datoo Tribute Fund as many individuals and organisations wished to commemorate Ali's contribution to pharmacy, healthcare and his long service to the work of Lions International. Donations were received from many Lions clubs throughout the UK, the Masonic Order, the Schering Health organisaion, local clubs and societies and very many individual friends.

As trustees of the fund, Haywards Heath Lions Club has investigated a whole range of projects across Ali's many interests to make a suitable commemoration. This has taken some considerable time but it has now been agreed that the School of Pharmacy at the University of Brighton would be the ideal candidate to manage the Ali Datoo Lions Award Fund. This will be done in the form of a Bursary. A cheque for £750 will be awarded each year to the the most deserving undergraduate or postgraduate student studying at Brighton who offers the best idea for a project offering healthcare to society.

The presentation ceremony took place on 1st May 2003 when the President of the Haywards Heath Lions Club, James Boxer handed over a cheque for £8750 to Pro. S. Laing, Pro-Vice Chancellor and Prof. S. Denyer, Head of School of Pharmacy and Biomolecular Sciences to enable the University to implement the bursary award scheme.

Among the many distinguished guests attending were Ali's wife Jeanette - herself a Pharmacist and their son, Adam.