A FUNDRAISING group has been delivering aid and support to local good causes.

Members of Rainham Freemasons Lodge, which meets four times a year on Saturdays at Orsett Masonic Hall in Rectory Road, it has certainly been a busy start to 2023.

With donations planned for 'Supergood Bikers for Autism' charity and the Changing Pathways Refuge Service, for adult women and their children experiencing domestic abuse, and fresh from delivering a notable donation on behalf of the Lodge to Thurrock Foodbank (picture below), the charitable Lodge also made a visit on 3 January to St Luke's Hospice's new facility on Lower Dunton Road, Thurrock, with another cheque.

The donation was passed to Thurrock Foodbank.

The donation was only part of the visit however and time was spent to view the new venue and facility and discuss further ideas to raise funds for this very worthy local cause.

Karl Griffin, the Charity Steward of Rainham Lodge, met with Events Fund Raising Officer at St Luke's, Jo Lucas, and her colleague Dan Tillbrook, who were both highly enthusiastic to meet with Karl to explain more about the new facility, the services they provide and discuss ways to help further.

From volunteering to help on the front desk, or in the cafeteria which is now open to the public Monday to Friday, 9am to 2pm with all proceeds from the delicious homemade cakes and beverages going direct to the charity, or offers for aiding and marshalling at events, to gardening, no stones were left unturned… to excuse a pun.

St Luke's Hospice have offered to accommodate further local Masonic Centres and Charity fundraising groups to talk more about the new facility in general and the general public are of course encouraged to visit the shiny new Sunflower Café for a warm welcome and a warm bun.

St Luke's Hospice provides the highest standards of individualised care for people with life limiting conditions, palliative and end of life care needs, and their families/carers living in Basildon and Thurrock communities. They work collaboratively with other health and social care providers to ensure the individual's quality of life is the best it can be, and their wishes and preferences are respected.