Children’s Ward Presentation
 
There are many varied reasons to enjoy being a Freemason. These can include the drama of the delivery of ritual, the camaraderie of the Brethren, the enjoyment of food and wine or simply the chance to let the better half have control of the television remote for a while.
Giles Berkley, Lorraine Foster, Anna Beardsworth and Daniel, Tony Thackrah
However many of our number will highlight charity as being the mainstay of Freemasonry as a whole and the Mark degree in particular.
This characteristic of the Mark degree was to the forefront when Tony Thackrah and Assistant Provincial Grand Master Giles Berkley visited the children’s ward of Furness General Hospital in Barrow in Furness to make a presentation.
To explain further I must backtrack to November last year when seven week old Daniel Beardsworth was admitted to the high dependency unit of the ward with an illness. Daniel is the grandson of Tony Thackrah who at the time was the secretary of Prince Setanta Mark Lodge No 1446.
Daniel in hospital in November
Daniel spent five days in the children’s ward with four of those being in the high dependency unit. It was suggested that optical light strands may help settle and comfort Daniel but initially there was some difficulty as the ward had only one set of the lights. When the lights were placed around Daniel’s cot they did indeed help him settle down.
 
On hearing of this Tony thought that Masonic charity may be able to help alleviate this situation.
At the installation meeting of Prince Setanta Tony was installed in the chair and at dinner was sat next to Provincial Grand Master Keith Beardmore. He told him about the benefits of the lights and the shortage of them. Keith’s reaction was to encourage Tony to make application to the Mark provincial charity as the cause would appear to be one that fitted within its remit.
 
Tony’s application was not only successful but it was agreed that two sets of the lights be purchased rather than just one at a total cost of £1,350 which included a donation of £100 from Prince Setanta..
Anna and Daniel
The lights having been purchased Daniel his mother Anna and proud grandfather Tony along with Giles and Sandra Berkley, special representative Stuart Brackstone and Jim Richards of Jubilee Mark Lodge attended the children’s ward to present the lights with your northern correspondent tagging along to record the event.
They were welcomed by staff members Lorraine Foster, Nicola Askew who is the Assistant Director of Nursing (Children’s Department) and Matron Heather Wood.
 
Anna said, “The treatment Daniel received in the children’s ward was first class. The lights seemed to help and the fact that as a parent you could place them around the cot made you feel that you were doing something to help the situation.”
 
Anna was also able to report that Daniel is now doing very well.
 
As Lorraine explained, “The optical lights are very useful and experience has shown that they are comforting and soothing to babies and also children with learning difficulties. They are a safe and flexible way of stimulating the patient.”
Stuart Brackstone, Sandra Berkley, Giles Berkley,
Lorraine Foster, Anna Beardsworth and Daniel, Tony Thackrah, Jim Richards,
Nicola Askew and Heather Wood
In making the presentation Giles commented, “In making this donation we are not only trying to help you with your very important work but it is also a small gesture of acknowledgement and thanks for what you do. It is appreciated.”
 
Heather thanked Tony, Giles and the Mark Masons for their generosity. The joy of the staff in receiving the donation was both genuine and eagerly expressed.
 
I hope this story makes you proud to be a Marked man – it does me. You can read the Press report here
Words and pictures by David Sear