In September 2024 Lakelands Hospice were thrilled to announce that Master Mark Mason, Mark Benevolent Fund awarded a grant of an amazing £44,583.00 to fund our Kitchen Renovation/Counselling Room Project at Lakelands Hospice.
Our Kitchen was as old as the hospice was and showing its age to the point in some areas where we are non compliant so a lot of changes needed to be made.
Sue Hall our Trust and Grants Officer attended a presentation event at Mark Masons' Hall Ltd. around 3 years previously and discussions for funding for this project started. Networking with Masons from Provincial Grand Lodge of Northamptonshire & Huntingdonshire they were surprised to learn that Lakelands Hospice were not supported by the NHS and didn't receive any government funding. A network was formed to assist Sue to put a proposal together for funding for our project. Several visits to the hospice and many discussions later, facts and figures found, an application was made with the huge support of several Masonic gentleman who gave up their time to us for the project, Sue was successful in securing all the funding for this project to go ahead.
Building started promptly by Manor Interiors who have made an incredible job of the new working spaces. Our cook Beth is thrilled with the new kitchen area and so are all our staff and visitors and most importantly our patients. Daily home cooked meals are now prepared much easier and in a compliant area.
We held an official opening ceremony on Monday 2nd December at our Brew and Bites Cake and Coffee monthly event where the Masonic team attended so they could see the benefit of the kitchen that we use for many of our community events.
Masons who attended:
Darren Coleman - Charities Manager, Mark Benevolent Fund
David Sowerby - Provincial Grand Master, Provincial Grand Mark Lodge of Northampton, Huntingdon and Bedford
David Snape - Deputy Provincial Grand Master. Provincial Grand Mark Lodge of Northampton, Huntingdon and Bedford
Geoff Duff - Charity Steward, Rockingham Lodge of Mark Master Masons, Corby
Jeff Chambers - Provincial Charity Steward, Provincial Grand Mark Lodge of Northampton, Huntingdon and Bedford
Richard King - Charity Steward, Forest Lodge of Royal Ark Mariner, Corby
Jeff Chambers stated "The new Kitchen at Lakelands is Freemasonry at work helping the community"
Everyone at Lakelands would like to say a huge thank you to all involved that helped us achieve this huge success. With your support we can continue to support those in Corby and surrounding areas that are living with life limiting illnesses.
If anyone would like to see our new Kitchen, please attend our in-hospice events in 2025 - Brew and Bites and Bingo nights are just a few to mention. Keep your eye on our website and social media for dates in the new year.
