Every year, Devonshire's Freemasons visit the hospices around the region to donate to a very important service to the community.
This year, the Provincial Grand Master of Devonshire Freemasons Nicholas Ball and the Provincial Charity Steward Anthony Eldred visited St Luke's Hospice Plymouth, which provides specialist end-of-life care for people with terminal illnesses across Plymouth and surrounding areas. Focusing on what matters most to each patient and supporting their loved ones, the independent charity makes a vital difference to local families going through the toughest of times.
While St Luke's provides its services at no cost to patients, this does not come cheap to the charity. Along with other hospices across Devon and nationally, it is facing mounting pressure on its finances due to the rising cost of living.
Recognising the huge importance of St Luke's to local families affected by terminal illness, Devon's Freemasons are very happy to match fund a donation from the Masonic Charitable Foundation (MCF) and present the hospice with £4,000 to help the team continue its compassionate care.
With just 24 per cent of its annual running costs funded by the government, St Luke's relies on support from the communities it serves to continue the high-calibre care for which the hospice is renowned.
George Lillie, Chief Executive of St Luke's, said:
"We are very grateful to the Devonshire Freemasons for their generous donation to the work of our hospice, helping us care for local families right when they need us most.
Nicholas Ball (Provincial Grand Master Devonshire Freemasons) said:
"Coming to St Luke's is one of my 'must do' visits every year. They regularly touch every family within our local community, and the challenges they face, particularly with regard to funding, are huge. We all know of a family/person who has received the special care and support that only they can provide.
They advise that the £4,000 will provide care for four patients, which could be from several months to just a few days. It's so important, therefore, that we continue to support them. Many of our individual Lodges also provide support independently throughout the year. I congratulate and applaud them for their support to such a wonderful cause."
Anthony Eldred, Devonshire Freemasons Charity Steward, said:
"Devonshire Freemasons remain committed to supporting Hospices throughout our county, and it was a pleasure to meet the dedicated team at St Luke Hospice in Plymouth and be able to help with the enormous task of funding the vital services which they provide.
In addition to the end-of-life care, which most of us associate with the hospice system,
I was particularly impressed by the support offered by St Luke's to children and family members at one of the most difficult times in their lives."
