Christmas comes early for hospice

CHRISTMAS arrived early for St Rocco’s and other hospices throughout the country – thanks to Freemasons.
And the latest donations mean that in the nine years the Warrington Group of Masonic Lodges has been supporting the hospice, more than £50,700 has been handed over.
Assistant Provincial Grand Master Dennis Rudd presented a cheque for £2,232 to the hospice from The Freemasons’ Grand Charity. Many lodges in the Warrington Group regularly support the hospice and the latest such donation was for £100 from the Warrington Lodge of Concord.
Dennis said: “I am delighted to have been able once again to present a substantial cheque to the hospice from our Grand Charity. This money is an important contribution towards the millions of pounds needed each and every year to ensure this extremely respected service can continue for the benefit of the people of the Warrington area.”
Beth Eccles, matron at the hospice, said: “The support we receive from Freemasons is incredible. It was only in April that we received £3,000 which had been raised by Warrington Freemasons at a Gentlemen’s Evening and there have been many other cheques from local lodges.
“For one organisation to have donated more than £50,000 to the hospice in just nine years is magnificent. Without such support we would not be able to work as we do.
“I just want to say a big thank you to all Freemasons for their generosity.”
Since The Freemasons’ Grand Charity Hospice Programme started more than £8 million has been donated to hospices in England and Wales.
Pictured… Assistant Provincial Grand Master Dennis Rudd is pictured presenting the cheque to day unit sister Johanne Sutton, watched by appeals manager Claire Mannock and Barry Jameson, vice-chairman of the Warrington Group of Lodges.