Charity News - Devonshire Provincial Mark Lodge

Taken from Devon Life Magazine

Making presentations sometimes seems like a chore but some people really enjoy giving them and they can  sometimes be very beneficial for the business you  represent. David Snelling of the Operation Henry Trust is just one of those people. He makes frequent presentations about his travels with Henry the hinny and the charity he set up to help those dying  of pancreatic cancer and their loved ones. When he entertained the members of Plympton Probus Club with one of his fascinating and inspiring talks one member of the audience was so moved that he arranged for a donation to be given to David’s charity.

Colin Bond who is retiring this year is Secretary Treasurer of the Masonic Devon Mark Charity Association and has been involved with it for 25  years. He has relatives who have died from the lethal disease of pancreatic cancer and  fully empathises with Operation Henry’s aims so he invited David to give the illustrated talk. As a result, Colin can be seen here presenting David with a very welcome cheque for £1000 from the Association which will be used to alleviate the  suffering of pancreatic cancer victims in the SouthWest. All donations are given from the pockets of the brethren and David is very grateful indeed for their generosity.

Each year, masonic lodges donate to non-masonic charities of their choice. This year alone 8 Devon charities have benefited from their generosity, including special needs students at Teign School in Kingsteignton, Rockville Daycare and Respite Centre  for the disabled in Plymstock and South Zeal Recreation Ground.

DEVON MARK CHARITY ASSOCIATION
Recommendations of the Sub- Committee
Held on Sunday 20thy March 2011  

The following Non-Masonic Local Charities have been recommended to the Association to receive funds for the year 2010/2011, and the sub committee puts forward their deliberations for your approval as follows:-

1. British Red Cross Charity No. 220949
Require a Sexless Torso; AED Trainer; and Pulse Oximeter Total Cost £1200-00.
Nominated by St. John 50 Mark Lodge. Agreed £600-00

2.  Special Needs Students at Teign School Kingsteignton
Need funds to purchase a special adapted minibus for wheelchair access.  
Nominated by Sanctuary Mark 1370. Agreed £1000-00

3.  The Derriford 3D Heart Appeal  for £97000-00
Tto purchase a 3D Transeoesophageal Echocardlograph (TOE)  Scanner.  
Nominated by Friendship TI 16 Mark. Agreed £1000-00

4.  South Zeal Recreation Ground Association Charity 263518 Require funds to re- surface the Car Park.
Nominated by St.George 15 Mark.  Agreed £500-00

5. Make Me Smile Charity 1061384   Require a Heine Dermatoscope Costing £655-00
Nominated by Athlestan Mark 958.  Agreed £655-00

6. The Mascular Disease Society Charity No.1001198. Require funds for  sponsorhip for a partially sighted person who is climbing Mount Kilimanjaro to get funds to treat her  for hervery rare condition.   
She is the daughter of a Charity Steward. Agreed £500-00

7. The Operation Henry Trust Charity 1085021. Supports Pancreatic Cancer patients with aid in the last days of their lives.  Nominated by Strode Mark 696 & Strode RAM 696.  Agreed £1000-00

8.Independence South West  Charity No. 280099.  Rockville Day Care and Respite Centre at Plymstock for the disabled.  Nominated by R.W. Bro. P G M Peter Hawken.  Agreed £1000-00

The total amount available for non masonic charities was £6381-00 and the above amounts total £6255-00.

We are also committed to giving the Craft a cheque for the 2012 Festival of £10,000-00 which was agreed four years ago.  

Benevolence Mark Lodge 1264

‘On 7th May Benevolence Mark Lodge No 1264 held a charity social event and raised £600 for the Northam Lodge [Bideford] charity. The Northam Lodge charity sent a speaker who  outlined the superb work of the charity in supporting physically and mentally disabled and disadvantaged people in residential accommodation in Bideford. The event, an annual item on 1264’s social calendar, was organized by Bro Brian Martin (JW)  with support from W Bro Roger Heffer (C/Stwd) and was again a success and the venue has already been booked for the 9th consecutive year in 2012.’

Special Needs Students at Teign School Kingsteignton

Worshipful Brother's Chris Wood and Alastair Duncan presented a cheque on behalf of the Devon Mark Charity Association for £1000 to Teign School towards the purchase of a special adapted minibus for wheelchair access.

Independence South West  Charity No. 280099.

The Provinical Grand Master R.W.Bro. Peter Hawken MBE presented a cheque for £1000 to Independence South West Rockville in Plymstock, Plymouth for care and respite for  disabled people. A specialised shower chair (as seen in the picture) was purchased with the money provided by Devon Mark.
The picture also includes a number of the day care disabled people and their carers.