BUCKINGHAMSHIRE FREEMASONS

In May, they took part in a nationwide initiative that saw Freemasons nationally donate nearly 1,000 tablets to hospitals and care homes to provide vital contact between loved ones and coronavirus patients. The tablets were provided to more than 50 hospitals, care homes and hospices across their regions.

During the current crisis, NHS hospitals have been forced to limit visits to patients in an attempt to control infections. Some of those suffering from the virus can be in intensive care for two to three weeks or more, with one-to-one visits only being allowed for dying patients.

This has led hospitals to try to find a way to help patients communicate with their families during this difficult time. Freemasons have risen to the challenge and gifted more than a thousand devices to help patients see and hear their loved ones and provide much-needed comfort.

The donations were coordinated through a new Covid-19 Response Group, which was formed by the United Grand Lodge of England (UGLE) as an emergency structure in response to Covid-19. Its purpose is to work together to deliver life-changing initiatives – on a national scale – to those in need. Using the full capability of its network, the Freemasons have been able to draw together suppliers to source the tablets quickly and efficiently.

In Buckinghamshire, tablets were given to Stoke Mandeville, High Wycombe, Amersham and Wexham Park Hospitals with others going to local hospices.

All of the donated devices will continue to be used by the hospitals after the coronavirus crisis is over.

This spring, after a long night shift at MK University Hospital, Dr Suhel Chagani was eager to go home as his wife was imminently expecting their first child only to find that his bicycle had been stolen from the hospital grounds. The close association Buckinghamshire Freemasons have with MK University Hospital triggered a ‘chain’ reaction to the situation which resulted in Buckinghamshire Freemasons getting on their bike to donate a replacement for the stolen bicycle.

Dr Chagani said: “Many thanks to Buckinghamshire Freemasons for your most generous donation, I am very grateful for all your help and support. Thanks again, Suhel.”

Some of the thousands of people whose lives were devastated when Super Cyclone Amphan hit Bangladesh and India on 20 May, have been given urgently-needed humanitarian assistance, thanks to a grant of £15,000 supported by Buckinghamshire Freemasons.

The recent COVID pandemic has hit all families. However, for some young carers it has put them in an impossible situation. Young Carers Bucks supports many such families but were particularly concerned about two young sisters who care for their mother. With lockdown and home schooling, they were suddenly isolated and were unable to do their school work and stay in contact with their friends.

Young Carers Bucks has a long standing relationship with Buckinghamshire Freemasons, and they have been working together during COVID to provide hot meals and other support. After a call to see if the Freemasons of Buckinghamshire could help in some way, Phil Blacklaw (Assistant Head of Buckinghamshire Freemasons) leapt into action.

Shortly afterwards, Phil delivered a brand new laptop computer to the girls, who were very grateful to receive it. It has made a huge difference to the home schooling for these hard working young carers.

Rahat Butt, of Young Carers Bucks said “I am writing to sincerely thank Buckinghamshire Freemasons for their generous donation of a laptop for our Young Carer family in need. The family are very grateful for the kind donation of the laptop by the Freemasons.

"The new laptop has made a huge difference for the two Young Carers in the family. Since lockdown the family were having to share one laptop between five children, school work was not being completed and the school had concerns about the teenage girls, one of whom is a GCSE student. Your contribution and support allows us to make a positive impact in the lives of the Young Carers.”