“We are very grateful”: Lancashire Freemasons & Longridge Band raise 1000s for Rosemere Cancer Foundation
Rosemere Cancer Foundation has shared its gratitude for the generosity of two Lancastrian Freemason lodges as well as a local band who have donated a combined total of nearly £4000.
A duo of Freemasons make a symbolic donation
Two senior members of the Carnarvon Lodge of Freemasons, which is part of the province of West Lancashire, have made a joint donation of £2,376 to Rosemere Cancer Foundation via the lodge to mark their diamond anniversary of becoming freemasons.
Both Allan Scott and Stuart Cowburn have been part of the lodge for 60 years during which time they have both held various offices, including that of the highest office of worshipful master.
The duo chose to support Rosemere Cancer Foundation as a cause close to their hearts as Stuart is a former patient of Rosemere Cancer Centre and both Allan’s wife and daughter have also been treated there.
The amount the two friends donated deliberately corresponds with Carnarvon Lodge’s unique masonic identification number of 2376, symbolising the central role Carnarvon Lodge has played in their shared journey over six decades of freemasonary.
Sue Swire, fundraising manager for Rosemere Cancer Foundation, said: “To reach a diamond anniversary is a very rare and incredible achievement.
“Allan and Stuart must have helped to raise many thousands of pounds for many different charities over their years as freemasons. We’re delighted that when it came to celebrating their 60th anniversary, they chose to support Rosemere Cancer Foundation and can assure them that their donation will go towards projects bringing real benefit to local people currently going through cancer treatment.”
Another significant donation from the Freemasons
Members of Ribble Lodge No 4558 from Preston Masonic Group then celebrated the centenary of their lodge’s consecration by making donations to a mix of 10 local and national charities, including the Rosemere Cancer Foundation, as well as Lostock Hall’s St Catherine’s Hospice.
Each charity received £455.80 – a tenth share of the £4,558 the lodge’s brethren raised during their 100th year centenary celebrations last year, again corresponding with lodge’s unique number 4558.
Hannah Leahy, fundraising assistant for Rosemere Cancer Foundation, who received the donation from Worshipful Master Mark Dunn, Charity Steward David Hamer and Membership Officer Simon Wright, said: “Thank you to all members of Ribble Lodge No 4558 for choosing to include Rosemere Cancer Foundation as one of its centenary charities. We are very grateful. Congratulations to lodge members on reaching such a fantastic milestone.”
And some help from the charity’s musical friends
Elsewhere, members of Longridge Band then upheld their tradition of an evening’s carolling for Rosemere Cancer Foundation, raising £777.09 for the charity on a tour of local venues.
The band performed at Longridge’s Franco’s Italian restaurant, Hilltop Brasserie, Cross Keys and at Longridge Golf Club, where they took up bucket collections to raise their donation.
Their caroling for Rosemere Cancer Foundation first began in 2017 after cornet player Janet Clegg became a patient at Rosemere Cancer Centre, Lancashire and South Cumbria’s regional specialist cancer treatment and radiotherapy centre at the Royal Preston Hospital.
Janet, who remains a patient, organises the evening’s schedule, and this last Christmas, had her granddaughter, 14-year-old Elsie Thurlow who also plays cornet, making her band debut playing alongside her.
Hannah Leahy, who received the donation during their band practice at Berry Lane’s Durham Ox pub, said: “We’re very grateful to Janet, who was so proud of Elsie, and all the band’s members for giving up their time and donating their talent to fundraise for us, especially just before Christmas.
“With its this year’s donation, the band has raised an amazing £5,034.44 to help fund our projects. Thank you to everyone who added to the collection.”
More about the charity
Rosemere Cancer Foundation works to bring world class cancer treatments and services to cancer patients from throughout Lancashire and South Cumbria being treated at Rosemere Cancer Centre, which is the region’s specialist cancer treatment and radiotherapy centre at the Royal Preston Hospital, and also at another eight local hospital cancer units across the two counties.
Rosemere Cancer Foundation funds items beyond NHS means such as cutting edge equipment, clinical research, staff training and innovative services and therapies to make cancer patients’ treatment journey more effective, comfortable and stress-free. For further information and to make a donation, visit www.rosemere.org.uk