With our M.B.F. Trustee, V.W.Bro. Ian Wolstencroft, P.G.J.O. and his wife Christine, I visited the Support Dogs charity in Sheffield. This is an organisation that provides specially trained dogs to support those with autism, those with epilepsy and those needing some extra support in their lives.
They are currently developing a leading National Training and Development Centre for dogs and their trainers. In the photos you can see the beginning of the training arena where dogs and trainers will work together. Their main focus is further developing their epilepsy dog program. A fully trained Support Dog can alert its ‘human’ to a seizure well in advance of the event. Whilst people generally think that a seizure happens quickly, Support Dogs can give notice of anywhere between 29 and 55 minutes. These amazing dogs give the sufferer plenty of time to adjust and to find a safe place before the seizure happens.
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On Friday, 25 September, our R.W. Prov.G.M. Keith A. Beardmore was accompanied by other members of the West Lancashire executive to attend the headquarters of North West Blood Bikes in Bamber Bridge, Preston.
We were met with a very warm welcome and an impressive turnout of Blood Bikes, their riders and their support team. There was also a very special bike for our Prov.G.M.
Following a brew and an enjoyable buffet, our R.W. Prov.G.M. gave a short speech and then presented a cheque for £12,000 to the Blood Bikes towards their everyday running costs.
The blood bikers were clearly very impressed and grateful for this donation.
Their representative in return gave a short speech to express their gratitude and appreciation for the donation.
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The Mark Benevolent Fund (M.B.F.) has donated £25,000 to support ShelterBox's emergency response in Nepal, where recent flash floods have claimed lives, destroyed homes, roads and critical infrastructure, leaving thousands of people displaced.
The donation was received within 6 days of the event and will help ShelterBox to continue to provide shelter and essential household items to families affected, many of whom have lost everything.
The M.B.F. is run by the Mark Master Masons and distributes funds raised by other Masonic organisations. Their fast response to support ShelterBox’s timely efforts in Nepal reflects their overarching credo “he gives twice who gives promptly”.
Euan Crawshaw, Director of International Programmes at ShelterBox said: “It means a huge amount to have the Mark Benevolent Fund by our side as we are mobilising in the event of a disaster like this. The speed of support can make a huge difference for families who have lost everything they own. We're incredibly grateful for their continued commitment, which enables us to provide practical support when people need it most."
ShelterBox works to ensure that no family is left without shelter after disaster or conflict. By providing shelter and household essentials, the charity helps families recover with dignity and begin rebuilding their lives.
The MBF has donated more than £500,000 to ShelterBox's disaster relief work since 2010. In the last year the MBF have also supported ShelterBox responses to the devastation caused by the twin earthquakes in Venezuela and Hurricane Melissa in Jamaica.