East Lancashire Masonic Charity

The smiles continued after the Monarch Lodge Centennary meeting.

RW Brother Nigel Bramley-Howarth was delighted at the charitable contributions made on the evening of the Monarch Lodge Centenary Meeting, on Saturday 31st October 2009, as each member of the Lodge chose his favourite charity to receive £200. One particular Charity came to the attention of ELMC who decided it was deserving of further support and added a further £600.

WBro Keith Mayne of Monarch Lodge accompanied by Salford District Charity Steward WBro John Astbury visited the Winnard family to present them with cheques from the Lodge and the Provincial charity.

Hilda and Graham Winnard started HAWC (Helping Adolescents with Cancer) when their daughter Nicola became ill and found herself isolated in a world of medical staff with nobody to discuss her feelings and problems with. The Charity trains and provides counsellors to whom young people can talk to at any time about their fears and hopes. Nicola has been an inspiration to her parents and despite many obstacles, she lives life to the full and plays a full part in the running of HAWC.

Hilda asked for her thanks to be passed to the Brethren, with a promise that the donation would be 'faithfully applied' immediately as they were about to run a training course for new counsellors from all over the UK. The accommodation was arranged, and the Salford funds would take care of the travel and meals for the week long course for twelve people.

The Salford giving event for 2010 will be held in May, and we look forward to a visit by Hilda and Nicola to tell us all about HAWC.