When former Royal Naval Captain Paul Bootherstone took over the helm of the New Masonic Samaritan Fund in January 1994, he found a striking similarity to his Navy days. After 38 years in the Senior Service he favourably compared its comradeship with that found in Masonry and with his "crew" at 26 Great Queen Street.
    The Falklands veteran is proud to serve "this great Brotherhood" but is also quick to emphasise the teamwork involved. "1 could not function without the help of my staff and brethren" said the man who was awarded the DSC after commanding HMS Arrow in the Falklands conflict. Of this award he says: "That was a team effort, I wear it on their behalf." Such is the mettle of the man who formerly flew aircraft from carriers, was in command on the bridge of three Naval ships and then (as is so often the case) ended his career with a desk job. He looks upon The New Masonic Samaritan Fund as something to be shared not only with members of the Craft but also with their wives, widows and families. "One of the major problems", he said in a matter-of-fact way "is that not all masons know about our work and even fewer wives and indeed widows are aware of how we could be of enormous help to them". The Secretary and Chief Executive reflected that this was probably because many had read about its formation and then 'filed it away' or had not appreciated the help offered.
    The object of the fund is simple: to provide assistance for sick and infirm Freemasons, their wives or widows, children and dependants who are unable to obtain treatment on the NHS without undue delay, causing a hardship which is affecting their quality of life. The fund gives relief to those petitioners who can demonstrate a financial need. He emphasised: "You do not have to be destitute to obtain relief, and every case is judged on its merits. We take into account income and expenditure, and we do not include the value of a house when looking at savings and capital. But we are careful to ensure there is a real financial need."
    The New Masonic Samaritan Fund was formed in November 1990. A growing concern about problems at the Royal Masonic Hospital led to a series of reports on the care of the masonic sick. As a result, and on the initiative of the Past Pro Grand Master, Lord Cornwallis - and with the agreement of the then Royal Masonic Hospital Board of Management - the fund was formed as a separate charity with a generous grant from the Grand Charity. Thanks to the further generosity of hundreds of lodges, thousands of individual masons and the Cornwallis Appeal, the project got into its stride.
    The fund does not deal with emergency or life-threatening cases such as heart attacks, strokes and serious accidents. These can be dealt with promptly and efficiently by the NHS. "It is not our purpose to pay for those who simply seek to avoid the NHS and have only private health care. We are not a masonic sort of BUPA. We are ready to spring into action, but cannot until we are informed, either by an almoner or the applicant, that our help is needed." To date some 2,700 applicants have been assisted at over 285 hospitals nationwide. The average cost for each treatment is £4,800, some more, some less, and a major heart by-pass operation can cost up to £12,000. For the afflictions of old age: hips, knees, cataracts and water-works, the average cost is around £5,900 per procedure.
    It is a fact of life that money is always needed, and so it was eventually agreed that financial support could be obtained by joining the Provincial Festival System. As provinces give an undertaking to the major masonic charities many years in advance, it will be 2002 before the fund is fully part of the Festival System, albeit South Wales Eastern Division will kindly hold a festival in 1999. To bridge the gap, the then Assistant Grand Master, the Earl of Eglinton and Winton, launched the London Festival Appeal for the fund in 1993 and worked industriously for it. His successor, the Most Hon. the Marquess of Northampton, has continued the good work and the original target of £8 million has been comfortably exceeded and will probably be in the region of £10 million.
    Had the Secretary and Chief Executive a message for Freemasons? "Yes" he replied. "It would be helpful if Freemasons told their wives of the masonic charities, as so many times they pass away and widows are unaware of how they can be assisted. 1 would like to emphasise that all masons are assistant almoners. Please help the Lodge Almoners to do their jobs by being alert to needs of brethren and their families. "And most particularly use us! We are just a telephone call away."