Report from Garston - Call to Alms
 
At the start of the Lock-down due to COVID -19  Mal Yates Chairman of Garston Masonic contacted V W Derek Horrocks, who is also the Secretary for Garston Masonic Hall Ltd.
The purpose of the discussion was to discuss the possibility of a fund-raising exercise to provide meals for vulnerable  people in the Garston area.
In his role as a PGMs Special Representative, Derek contacted Charity Leader Graham Sinden and his Deputy Jack Parker to see if it was possible to contact the Mark Lodges who meet at Garston Masonic Hall.
Contact was made with the various Charity Stewards and Treasurers. The response was superb, Within the first day £1,200 was pledged more then followed. further application was to West Lancashire Mark Masons Charity, which was successful and a sum of £2,000 was added to the list. Further donations the followed Garston Masonic Hall Ltd added to the funds, Trinity Craft Lodge added £500 added to the growing funds individual Mark and Craft Masons made donations. As the cause gained momentum the West Lancashire Craft also Donated £ 2,000 additional money is being added to the pot.
The chefs at Garston Masonic Hall,  Tony Ackroyde and Mick Smith,  put together a list of meals that they would produce.
 
Mal Yates contacted Local Councillor Deputy Mayor Lynie Hinnigan and was able to collate a list of vulnerable Garston Residents. On the 20th May 2020, the "meals on wheels" project  deliveries started.
A number of Mark Masons are amongst the volunteers who deliver the meals.
In the first week a total of 310 meals have been produced and delivered. Each week vulnerable people will have meals delivered; the intention was to supply for 6 weeks.
 
The meals are cook chilled, all the re-heating instructions and Allergenic content are fixed to the containers.
 
The funds raised have exceeded £8,000, should more money be added to the scheme the meals could continue.
The response from the recipients has been very good, and in some cases a rapport has struck up between the volunteers and recipients.
 
If anyone would wish to send a donation, please feel free to send any donation made payable to Garston Masonic Hall Ltd, on the reverse "meals project". To enable a smooth handover of monies, please send to J Parker , 10a Mersey Rd, Widnes, Cheshire, WA8 0DG. 
 
Report and photos by D E Jones