Are you aware?
 
“I would urge everyone to go along to one of these evenings and take their family and friends with them,” were the observations of Provincial Grand Master Keith Beardmore following the health awareness evening held at Lancaster Masonic Hall.
Pictured from left to right, are; Dan Phillips and Keith Beardmore.
Keith had been present as ambassadors for Diabetes U.K., the Alzheimer’s Society, the Stroke Association and Prostate Cancer U.K. had each given a short talk at the Rowley Court venue after which they made themselves available for one to one discussions.
 
The presentations were informative and somewhat informal rather than lectures of what you should or should not do. The fact that some of the ambassadors were speaking from personal experience strengthened the messages.
Pictured from left to right, are; Stuart Brackstone, Tina Fry and Keith Beardmore.
When replying to the question, “What is the most important message you wish to get out?” Chris Bradburn of Diabetes U.K. echoed the words of all the ambassadors as he responded, “early diagnosis is key”.
 
When asked for a headline message Robin Collins of Prostate Cancer U.K. commented, “Most men over 40 are entitled to a P.S.A. Test. My message to them all would be – make sure you have a P.S.A. test, it is your right.”
Pictured from left to right, are; Keith Beardmore, Barbara Bradburn and Chris Bradburn.
Also present were Dan Phillips of the Stoke Association, Barbara Bradburn of Diabetes U.K. and Tina Fry of the Alzheimer’s Society. Each of the four societies were presented with cheques for £350 by Keith who thanked them for not only agreeing to give the presentations at the various venues but also their sterling efforts on behalf of their charities.
Pictured from left to right, are; Keith Beardmore and Robin Collins.
He added, “My assistant PGM Michael Clarke is the man behind the health awareness evenings and I am very grateful to him. The evenings deserve our full support. They are not messages of gloom but rather words of encouragement and excellent advice.”
 
Special representative Stuart Brackstone commented, “It is nice to see that we have some ladies present. We all know that most men will avoid the doctors if they can and that it is their wives who make sure they get checked out for any problems.”
 
The next health awareness evening is at Cleveleys on 8th November with a further four to follow after that. They are well worth going to even if you have to make a journey.
Pictured from right to left following the cheque presentations, are;
Stuart Brackstone, Robin Collins, Dan Phillips, Tina Fry, Keith Beardmore and Chris Bradburn.
At some of the upcoming events stop smoking advisors will be on hand to give advice to those who wish to cease their tobacco habit. They will not be doing a presentation or soliciting business they will simply be on hand to point out the ways they can help.
Article and Photographs courtesy of Dave Sear