THE MASONIC PROVINCE OF YORKSHIRE WEST RIDING

Thanks to a Major grant from the Provincial Grand Master’s Fund, renovation of the family accommodation in the Brotherton Wing of Leeds General Infirmary is now complete.

As previously reported here and in White Rose Masonic News, a grant of £29,000 was made last year, to the Children’s Heart Surgery Fund (CHSF), to enable the complete refurbishment of seven rooms, consisting of new flooring, furniture and redecoration.

The accommodation is a vital part of CHSF’s support and is used by parents needing to stay close at a time when their child is receiving life-saving treatment.
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Sharon Milner, CEO of CHSF was pleased to show the accommodation to Dr. Andrew L Wright APGM and Carl Woodier of Chevin Lodge, No 6848. The application for the grant was sponsored by Chevin, after learning of the treatment received at the hospital by Carl’s granddaughter, Bella.

Sharon is pictured above, with Andrew, in one of the refurbished rooms.

Lisa Williams, Community Fundraising Manager said, “Our family rooms are so much more comfortable and inviting since their renovation and we are hugely grateful to the Freemasons of Yorkshire, West Riding for their incredible donation. We know how much parents crave a relaxing space nearby, to recuperate while their poorly baby or child is being treated at hospital and we are thrilled to be able to offer this support.”
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W Bro Wright commented, “We cannot begin to imagine how distressing it is for parents to have a child in hospital, needing open heart surgery. It’s vitally important for them to remain close throughout that time and these wonderful facilities will go someway to easing that distress. Freemasonry prides itself on being able to support worthy causes in the community.”

​A plaque, in the Chevin Room, acknowledging the support of Freemasons of Yorkshire, West Riding.

“It was brilliant to get the donation.” Jake Boyd, who runs the club’s foundation age teams, said. “You know it’s going to engage the kids all year round, not just depending on how the weather is. Games and training would often get cancelled because the pitches got waterlogged so quickly, or they would be frozen solid which is also dangerous. The kids are buzzing with it, they aren’t bothered by the weather. They just want to play.”

Addressing the Lodge of Dawn representatives, Luthel James who founded CFYDC with Will Bowler in 2002, said, “With what you’ve done and the help that you’ve given us, don’t under-estimate it, because it goes miles further than that. It’s one of those things that says ‘here’s a contribution’ but it’s been a catalyst to 50 to 100 other things happening because of that contribution.”
 
Following the visit, Christian Higgins, Master of The Lodge of Dawn said, “We’d hope that our involvement doesn’t stop here. We’ll be looking at additional ways to further support this great community project.”

Following the award of a grant in the sum of £4,860 from the Provincial Grand Master’s Fund, the Harrogate branch of St John Ambulance was able to purchase two Laerdal Resusci® Quality Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (QCPR) Training Manikins and at a special meeting in their Hornbeam Park premises, their use was demonstrated to members of the sponsoring Lodge, Harrogate and Claro No 1001.
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Lodge charity steward, Andrew Darling said, “We are proud to have been able to provide this fantastic equipment to a local charitable organisation that provides an extremely valuable service to the people of Harrogate and beyond. We must not forget the great work they do providing vital first aid coverage at many local events, thus releasing pressure on our overworked NHS.”

Pictured (l to r) are: (rear) Lodge members; John Birkenshaw, Michael Baxter, Andrew Darling and Clint Howard and (front) St John members; Ian Ward and Andrew Wilson.
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Andrew Wilson, Harrogate St John Unit Manager said, “We are very grateful to the Freemasons for providing this state of the art First Aid Equipment, which will no doubt help to save many lives in the future as we train more and more people on resuscitation techniques.”

​Four-year-old Logan Boycott attended Pontefract General Hospital Accident & Emergency Department, as a result of a fall in which he sustained facial injuries.
He was presented with a teddy, part of the Teddies For Loving Care initiative, supported and funded entirely by Freemasons in the Province.
Logan has autism and formed a massive attachment to his teddy, taking it everywhere with him, day and night. When school closed for the Christmas holidays, the teddy got left behind; Logan being sent home without it. He was distraught and mum, Joanne, reached out to the Scheme Co-ordinator in the hope of purchasing a replacement.
The very next day, local TLC Contact, David Evans of Saint Oswald Lodge No 910 and his wife, called at Logan’s home and delivered a replacement teddy, at no charge.

Mum wrote: ‘Thank you so much for the kindness you have shown to our family in finding a teddy for Logan and delivering him to our door. When I filled in the contact form I did not in my wildest dreams imagine that this would be the outcome.
David, after yourself and your wife left, I took the bear straight to Logan; he shouted, “Teddy”, started cuddling him said, "I love him" and hasn't put him down since. I can't thank you enough, or put into words the impact this has to Logan, or how much we all appreciate what you have done for us.’

A similar request was received the previous month, but on this occasion the teddy was not missing, merely looking the worse for wear, having been a constant companion for a little girl (pictured above) who received him on a visit to A & E at Calderdale Royal Infirmary. Mum, Carla, likewise hoped to purchase a replacement but again, within days a lilac-coloured teddy was delivered to her, without charge, by local TLC Contact Ian Shaw-Peters of the Lodge of Probity No 61.
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Over 3 million bears have been presented to children in A & E departments, helping to reduce the shock and distress of their experience. Every child that receives a teddy, gets to take it home.