Freemasons of the Earl of Yarborough Lodge in Grimsby have smashed their ambition to raise £1,000 for health care organisations by reaching a whopping £3,000 to split between the Haven Team and the Healthtree Foundation on behalf of the Amethyst Suite at Diana, Princess of Wales Hospital.
The idea was in response to events in the lives of Lodge members, as Lodge assistant secretary Tim Fletcher explains: “We had lost so many good friends within Freemasonry recently to various types of cancer and on a more personal note, I lost my wife and our son Jon his mother to myeloma in 2020.
“We also lost a good friend in Rob Drury of St James Lodge and Andrew Dollery, who were nursed end of life by the Haven Team so we had personal experience of the good work that they provide. We3 decided to hold a Grand Summer Ball at the Pelham Suite on Cambridge Road in Grimsby, and 113 people attended. Jon is a professional musician and the music provided by his group “Night Fever” did the gig at a considerably reduced rate. The Oaklands Hotel provided a pre-dinner drink and the Pelham Suite provided a great three-course meal at a good price.
“During the course of 2024 and 2025, we had several sub-committee meetings (usually on licensed premises) to arrange donations for a grand Raffle. This was co-ordinated by Bro Chris Goodwin and his wife Debbie. A weekend break at the Landmark Restaurant was donated and auctioned.
“Everybody remarked what a great night they had had with the quality of the food and music. Although it was classed as a Ball, we insisted that the dress for gents should be ‘smart-casual’ and not formal
” During the course of the evening, Mr Roy Foreman gave a passionate speech indicating the work of the Haven Team and that of the Amethyst Suite at the hospital
In the picture below our Charity Steward Paul Doughty can be seen presenting the cheque to Alison Wilson of the Haven Team and Jon Fletcher is presenting the cheque to Michelle Soar of the Healthtree Foundation along with several ladies of the Haven Team in the background.