The Lodge of Light & Reflection, which meets close to Avonmouth Docks, selected The Mission to Seafarers as its chosen charity in this tercentenary year and the lodge’s £300 donation was matched by the Gloucestershire Masonic Charity Action.
Madeline Hellier received the £600 cheque on behalf of the charity from Charity Steward, Gwyn Birt. She was representing her husband, W Bro Revd Jeremy P Hellier and delivered a presentation on the work of the charity.
The Revd Jeremy is a volunteer chaplain for the charity and also the Provincial Grand Orator for Somerset. He was unable to attend due to a busy work schedule, but immediately contacted lodge secretary, Glenn Lovesy. “Thank you so much for the warm welcome you gave my wife today. I very much appreciate the lodge’s kind and very generous donation to the Mission to Seafarers. “Visiting seafarers are often very grateful for somewhere to go and rest away from their ship. The help and
support we offer to them in a strange country is very much appreciated.
Chaplains work hard to ensure seafarers are treated justly and fairly. 95% of everything we use in our day-to-day lives comes to us by sea and yet the world of the seafarer is little known. Modern slavery appears from time to time in the shipping industry and a real focus of our work is to ensure justice for all and that the provisions of the Maritime Labour Convention are honoured. Providing the means of communication with home and dealing with personal pastoral issues is also work we undertake on a daily basis. “Bless you for your support of the Church’s work in this area.
Madeline very much enjoyed speaking to you all and your hospitality at the Festive Board. Do let me know if lodge members would like to visit the Centre and tour the port sometime and I will be happy to arrange it.”
Tercentenary donation to Mission to Seafarers