Nurses, doctors, and paramedics are all receiving quality home-cooked, pre-packed meals thanks to a local Freemason and his wife and a grant from Leicestershire and Rutland Freemasons.
Freemason Paul Leary and his wife Alison run Access Catering based in Leicestershire. Access Catering are the resident caterers at Syston Masonic hall, and during the current lockdown, period have been using existing facilities to provide meals for nurses and other NHS frontline workers at the three main Leicestershire hospitals. The head of Leicestershire and Rutland Freemasons, Peter Kinder, was so impressed with Paul and Alison’s efforts, an emergency grant of £3,000 was made to keep their operation supplied with the necessary raw ingredients.
All meals are provided with heating instructions and allergy sheets along with a letter of recognition and thanks from the Freemasons of Leicestershire and Rutland.
The grant comes through the Masonic Charitable Foundation, which is funded by Freemasons, their families and friends, from across England and Wales. In response to the extraordinary need created by the coronavirus pandemic, Freemasonry is providing special funding of £2.75 million for projects helping those who are particularly affected by the virus. This extra money comes on top of the estimated £45 million given to charity every year by Freemasons.
Helen Tum, Extended scope of practice physiotherapist said:
“Our staff think it’s Christmas when the meals arrive. They are often working up to 14 hours a day and simply have no time to shop or cook. It is a wonderful gesture from The Freemasons”
Alison Leary commented:
“We’re are fortunate to have facilities available to us throughout the shutdown and wanted to make our contribution. We are delighted we’ve been able to help the nurses, doctors, and other NHS who are working tirelessly on our behalf.”