Following a recent meeting at Mount Edgcumbe Hospice in Porthpean Road, St. Austell, David Leaity (the recently appointed Assistant Provincial Grand Master of the Cornish Freemasons) attended to present a significant grant donation of £18,975 in support of the charity, Cornwall Hospice Care.
David supported by Mike Pritchard (Provincial Grand Charity Steward of the Cornish Freemasons) met with Cornwall Hospice Care Chief Executive, Mr Paul Brinsley together with Major Gifts Manager Mr Paul Jones and Senior Nurse Claire Collings.
The grant is part of the Masonic Charitable Foundation Grant Scheme and will assist with new wide-ranging support options for Cornwall Bereavement Friendship Groups run by Cornwall Hospice Care and CRUSE Bereavement Care, throughout Cornwall.
Paul Brinsley, the Chief Executive of Cornwall Hospice Care was delighted to receive the grant and was humbled by the continued and generous support the Hospice community receives from the Cornish Freemasons, year on year.
Paul Jones the Major Gifts Manager for Cornwall Hospice Care Commented: “Cornwall Hospice Care is very grateful for the ongoing benevolence of the Freemasons in Cornwall. With this latest grant, we are able to set up bereavement support groups in the county, alongside our partner CRUSE Cornwall. This will help individuals to learn new ways of coping with their emotions in bereavement and to have the opportunity to explore their feelings related to grief and bereavement in a safe environment.”
Last year Cornwall Hospice Care and CRUSE Cornwall contributed to research which showed that in Cornwall almost half of those people asked (six hundred and five people) who were bereaved, didn’t feel they had enough support in bereavement. Friends and family were the main sources of support and whilst this is invaluable, there was little or no opportunity for support from trained counsellors or specialist support workers.
The grant will enable the delivery of telephone support, friendship groups in the community and group support. These groups will provide important social interaction where bereaved people can be welcomed and access one to one meetings with trained volunteers, receive advice and information, social support and further one-to-one support if required. Each group will also work in collaboration with other agencies to maximise resources and skills. Trained volunteers will deliver skilled, sensitive support to improve wellbeing by providing comfort, hope and encouragement during this difficult period of adjustment. Helping more recently bereaved people to be reintegrated with the community and feel less isolated.
David Leaity remarked: “On behalf of the Freemasons of Cornwall, their families and friends, and of course the Masonic Charitable Foundation, it is a huge honour and privilege to continue to support our local Hospices. The dedication from all at Cornwall Hospice Care and CRUSE Cornwall is something to behold. Our Masonic fraternity here in Cornwall and beyond is very proud to support all local communities and charities.”
Mike Pritchard added: “Once again, we see our values proudly displayed by further charitable support being made by the members of our Masonic organisation here in Cornwall.We are absolutely delighted the grant has been awarded from the Masonic Charitable Foundation, to help and support Cornwall Hospice Care and CRUSE Cornwall.”
