Freemasons Offer Christmas Gift to Hospice
Dec 17, 2010
Birmingham St Mary’s Hospice is celebrating after receiving an early Christmas gift from big-hearted Freemasons.
A cheque for £4,750 was presented to hospice Head of Fundraising and Marketing Caroline Taylor by Eric J. Rymer, who is Assistant Provincial Grand Master with the Provincial Grand Lodge of Warwickshire.
The money, which is likely to be used to buy life-enhancing equipment such as special reclining chairs and overbed tables, forms part of the Freemason’s Grand Charity annual charitable giving programme.
Mr Rymer, who delivered the cheque to the hospice which cares for people with life-limiting illnesses from Birmingham and Sandwell, said it was a pleasure to donate to the charity.
“Each year we compile a list of non-masonic charities to support and this year one of those was Birmingham St Mary’s Hospice. We’re fully aware of the vital work hospices do across our community, so we feel it’s very important to support them. We’re delighted to be able to make this donation,” Mr Rymer said.
Caroline added: “There is little known about the Freemasons in the wider community but they are doing some wonderful work for charities. This is a fantastic amount of money. I can say on behalf of everyone at the hospice that we’re very grateful.
“The money will be put to good use, providing care to people who really need it. It is likely to fund equipment such as reclining chairs and overbed tables, which are vital in giving independence and freedom back to patients with advanced illness.”
Further information about the Freemasons can be found at the Grand Lodge’s website at www.ugle.org.uk, or Warwickshire Provincial Grand Lodge’s website www.warwickshirepgl.org.uk.
Since its launch in 1979, Birmingham St Mary’s Hospice has cared for tens of thousands of people with life-limiting illnesses, such as cancer, motor neurone disease and MS.
With around 52 percent of the hospice’s budget reliant on public goodwill, community fundraising is crucial to ensuring its highly specialised services can continue to be offered to the people of Birmingham and Sandwell.
In addition to a 25-bed Inpatient Unit, Birmingham St Mary’s boasts a 20-place Day Hospice and provides community care to people who wish to stay in their own homes.
The hospice also supports relatives with bereavement preparation, physiotherapy tuition and counselling in addition to many other services.
Annual running costs stand at £6.3 million, with around £1 million being raised in the hospice’s shops and £2.7 million via fundraising. The remainder comes from the NHS.
Picture caption: Jane Rymer presents a cheque with her husband Eric to hospice Head of Fundraising and Marketing Caroline Taylor (middle).
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