The Reward of Helping Others

Every Provincial Festival on behalf of the Masonic Samaritan Fund has joint aims of raising funds and raising awareness of the support available. As the 2014 Derbyshire Provincial Festival gathers momentum, the Provincial Grand Master Graham Rudd, has announced that he will present a specially commissioned ‘Charity Maul’ to every lodge that achieves its fundraising target before the end of the Festival.
     Unfortunately, there is no similar award in recognition of lodges who achieve equal success in raising awareness, thereby ensuring that all eligible applicants are able to access the benefits available from the Fund.
     Although publicity associated with Festival fundraising frequently leads to an increase in the number of applications from the provinces involved, there is a continuing need to raise awareness in all areas.
     If you would like the reward of helping others, please help the Fund to raise awareness of the support available to eligible applicants. Publicity material is available for distribution to lodge members and widows associated with the lodge. Staff from the Fund are also available to speak at lodge meetings or other functions, and are more than capable of handling detailed questions about eligibility and the application process.
     For further details please contact the Fund direct or speak to either John Williams (john@msfund.org.uk or 07931 533 648) or Mike Thurman (mike@msfund.org.uk or 07540 899 815).

Making Dental Care Available

There are a number of reasons why people keep away from the dentist, but an inability to afford the cost of treatment need no longer be an excuse. If you are unable to get the dental treatment that you need via the NHS at NHS charging rates, and can not afford the cost of private treatment, please contact the MSF.
     In recent months, grants have been made for a wide variety of dental treatments at an average cost of nearly £4,000 each. This support has not been in order to deliver a gleaming white smile fit for a career in Hollywood; it has been provided where individuals, faced with a genuine need for dental treatment, have been unable to access this via the NHS.
     One applicant sought assistance when the chemotherapy and radiotherapy he had received had caused deterioration in his gums and teeth to such an extent that all of his teeth needed to be removed. As his gums and jaw bone settled down, and despite regular adjustments to his dentures, a more permanent solution was required.

New-Found Freedom

Richard Penelrick is 32. He has a diagnosis of ataxia-teleanglectasia, a neurodegenerative condition rendering him unable to walk and causing difficulties with his vision, hearing and speech.
     As his prime carer, his mother Margaret is now benefiting from regular breaks through respite care funded by the MSF. Richard is also benefiting after the Fund provided a grant to purchase a specially adapted wheelchair which offers him a new-found freedom despite his debilitating medical condition.

CONTACT DETAILS Masonic Samaritan Fund 60 Great Queen Street, London WC2B 5AZ Tel: 020 7404 1550 Fax: 020 7404 1544 mail@msfund.org.uk www.msfund.org.uk

Issue 51, Winter 2009

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