Freemasons maintain gift tradition for Wigan hospice in coronavirus crisis

The gift is funded by lodge and chapter donations and members have supported the charity financially since its inception.

Older members of the masonic group now find themselves self-isolating, while the hospice itself has been struggling to attract the normal amount of charitable support, due to the restrictions in place following the lockdown and the Covid-19 pandemic.

But the organisation was determined that the hospice wouldn’t miss out and group chairman Geoffrey Porter, who is himself self-isolating, made arrangements for the 2020 donation to be made on St George’s Day.

Mr Porter chose that date knowing that group membership officer Bob Duff, a volunteer driver at the hospice, would be on duty that day.

Bob agreed to deliver the cheque for £565 on behalf of the group and handed it to community fund-raiser Christine Edwardson before starting his shift.

Mr Porter said: “While meetings and gatherings may have been suspended, the world should know that Freemasonry is still very much alive and kicking and it is at times like this that we must show the happy and beneficial effects of our ancient institution.

“Our hearts are expanded by benevolence and we are here when help is required. I’m proud that it is still the desire of the group to continue with that financial support for the hospice when the hospice shops are closed in line with the government guidelines and fund-raising events seriously curtailed.

"We cannot let them down when they need us most and this donation will contribute to the ongoing support Freemasons give to hospices not only locally but also nationally.”