Pilling Lodge No 7879 held a ‘Giving Evening’ at Wyrebank, Garstang, when a number of charities and local good causes received donations as part of the lodge’s annual distribution of charity funds.
Introducing the evening, Peter Pemberton said that although Freemasons in this country donated many £1,000,000’s to good causes including hospices, air ambulance charities, medical research and international disaster relief, donations of a few £100’s to a local good cause can make the difference between survival and going under.
He then handed proceedings over to the immediate past master of the lodge Andrew Jones, during whose year in office the charitable funds were raised.
Receiving a cheque for £500, Gillian Benn of the Garstang Friends of St John’s Hospice said that the donation represented a ‘real boost’ in ensuring the continuation of their essential work.
Other donations were made to Trinity Hospice and Brian House, Hornby Village Institute, Garstang Children’s Festival, Churchtown Children’s Festival and Heartbeat.
The Rev Andrew Wilkinson was delighted to receive a cheque in the sum of £500 towards the St Michael’s Church Roof Appeal and explained how thieves who stripped the lead from the roof had left the church with a bill of some £80,000 to make the building weathertight again.
All the recipients were extremely grateful for the continuing support offered by local Freemasons in helping them to fulfil their work in the community.
Andrew Jones (far left) and lodge charity steward Rob Bradshaw (second left) with representatives of the charities and good causes who received donations.