This week, the UK Grand Priory facilitated the shipment of a 40ft container of goods to assist those in need in The Gambia. The items, which would otherwise have been disposed of, were donated by Lord Harris Court, a Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution Home now known as Prince Philip Duke of Edinburgh Court, in Sindlesham, Berkshire.
The shipment includes a wide range of essential items:
- 40 metal frame electric beds and surplus electric motors
- 16 tables and 64 chairs
- 12 sets of bedroom curtain material
- 24 boxes of PPE
- Over 600 library books
- Over 50 sets of different coloured bed linen, sheets, and pillowcases
- Numerous zimmer frames, walkers, mattresses, and bedside tables
- A small quantity of laptops
These goods, valued at approximately £200,000 when new, are being shipped to The Edward Francis Small Teaching Hospital in Banjul, The Gambia, to directly benefit patients and healthcare providers.
The donation and shipment were made possible with the help of several friends and members of the Order, including Andy Welsher of Sandhurst Lodge No. 8856, who generously provided a forklift truck to load the container. Key contributors on the day included Chev. Steve Gotting, Chev. Tim Allen, Chev. Malcolm Hitchman, and Chev. Andy Stone of the SHOSJ, as well as Kevin Savva of Hennerton Lodge No. 8856, David Lawrenson of the Lodge of Friendship and Care No. 8802, Ray Sharp of Reading Lodge of Union No. 414, and Keith Bartley of Trevelyan Lodge No. 9187.
Special thanks are extended to Abby Cranston, Home Manager of Lord Harris Court, her colleague Emmy, and friend of the Order Liam Murray, for their assistance in preparing and loading the container.
The shipping costs, totalling £4000, were generously covered jointly by a £2000 contribution from the Berkshire Masonic Charity and £2000 from the SHOSJ Grand Priory of the United Kingdom.
The container, scheduled to ship on 20th December 2022, is a testament to the generosity and collaborative efforts of all involved. The SHOSJ UK Grand Priory extends its heartfelt gratitude to everyone who contributed their time, resources, and expertise to make this much-needed shipment possible. This initiative exemplifies the values of charity, service, and solidarity that define the Order’s mission.
