Recently a number of sesquicentenary presentations have been made to deserving charities nominated by Warwickshire District members. These are:
Cherish Dementia Holidays – £2500
Hargreaves Narrowboat Trust – £2000
Nuneaton and Bedworth Parkinson’s Support Group – £1500
All of these charities were nominated by Ill Comp Brian Glover, Past District Conductor of the Council, who is a member of Beauchamp Council 182. Brian’s mother had been helped by the first two charities, and Brian himself is an active member of the Parkinson’s Support group, as he suffers from the disease. The remainder of this article covers the presentations to the three charities.
The Warwickshire District, together with the nominees, and recipients extend grateful thanks to the R&SM Sesquicentenary management team for accepting these nominations.
Nuneaton & Bedworth Parkinson’s Support Group
Although affiliated to Parkinson’s UK the group receives no funding from them. Hence they are self funding, relying on attendees, raffles and the occasional bequest or donation.
The group would like to invite learned speakers on Research, Medication, Diet, Exercise etc. but the fees commanded are too high for their current financial situation.
This donation of £1,500 from the Sesquicentenary fund has however enabled the group to re-engage the services of Off-Balance Dance, which previously had to be cancelled due to lack of funding.
Off-Balance Dance is a Community Interest Company which believes in the positive impact that dance has physically, mentally and socially on all people. They put this belief into practise with an incredibly diverse range of clients, of all ages, including the Support Group’s members.
Shown below is the presentation of the cheque by the District Grand Master Peter Wellings (centre), to Off-Balance Dance Co-director Suzanne Cantwell Birkin (middle right) and dance instructor Mollie McGrane (far right), together with the Support Group Treasurer David Espin (far left) and his wife Cathy (centre left), who is the Secretary and main organiser of events.
The presentation took place at the Bulkington Community Centre, at a delightful strawberry tea and scones get together for members, where the raffle raised a good figure. This was attended by the Deputy District Grand Master Ill Comp Peter Stokes, and Ill Comp Brian Glover and his partner Anne, who also play a significant part in the success of the group.
Cherish Dementia Holidays.
Cherish Dementia Holidays is a charity based in Coventry, Warwickshire. The charity provides holidays, day trips and other activities for disabled people, particularly those with Dementia.
The charity was nominated by Ill Comp Brian Glover, a member of Beauchamp Council 182. This is only a small charity, and the donation of £2500 from the Sesquicentenary fund was very well received and will be used wisely.
Cherish’s aim is to provide affordable assisted holidays and day trips to people with Dementia and their Carers, usually husbands and wives, daughters or sons, or anyone who provides a substantial amount of care. Importantly each couple needs to be self-caring as no personal care is on offer.
Shown below is the presentation of the cheque, by Brian Glover (right) to the Chair of the Cherish Trustees, Keiran Lee, at the regular members’ afternoon tea at a lovely venue in Barston, Warwickshire.
This comment has been posted on the Cherish website and on Facebook – Click here, for the website.
‘Lovely lunch at The Lake at Barston. It was a shame that the rain stopped us from sitting outside by the lake to have our coffees. A big thank you to Brian Glover from The Masons who presented Cherish with a cheque for £2,500.00. This is much appreciated. £80 was made on the raffle thanks to all those who donated prizes.’
Hargreaves Narrowboat Trust
Hargreaves Narrowboat Trust is operated entirely by volunteers. The boat is fully equipped for disabled passengers, and bookings are welcomed from Care, Residential and Nursing Homes, Day Centres and Special Interest groups. As a community boat, we also welcome social groups, families and youth groups.
The aim of the charity is to promote, for the benefit of the local community, the provision of a narrowboat for recreation, education or other leisure time activities. Those who benefit are individuals who have need of such facilities by reason of their youth, age, infirmity or disablement, financial hardship or social and economic circumstances with the objective of improving their condition of life.
Ill Comp Peter Stokes, Deputy District Grand Master, enjoyed a very pleasant trip on the boat from Nuneaton to The Anchor Pub at Hartshill where we stopped for a meal, and then made our way back at a very leisurely pace on the hottest day of the year. The trips are aimed at disadvantaged members of the community and has earned a great reputation locally and won a number of awards.
The cheque presentation shows Peter Stokes (in the hat) handing over the donation of £2000 to Mike Parsons Treasurer of Hargreaves Narrowboat Trust , with accompanying volunteers for the Trust. (Mike happens to be a Leicestershire Mason, but we won’t hold that against him).
During the trip, the award above by the High Sheriff of Warwickshire was on display, nominated for great and valuable service to the community.