Four Yorkshire hospices benefit from Leeds Freemasons’ financial support.

Four Yorkshire hospices, whose fundraising activities have been badly affected by the coronavirus pandemic, have received a financial boost from Leeds Freemasons.
 
The members of Zetland Lodge, which meets in Castle Grove Masonic Hall, in Headingley, have given a total of £6,000 to them – the single biggest donation in its 150-year history.
 
The hospices, who will each receive £1,500, are:
 

• St Gemma’s Hospice, Moortown, Leeds
• Sue Ryder Wheatfield’s Hospice, Headingley, Leeds
• Saint Michael’s Hospice in Harrogate
• Martin House Children’s Hospice, in Boston Spa, Wetherby

 
Zetland Lodge is one of circa 200 lodges in the Freemasons’ Province of Yorkshire West Riding, whose geographical area is based on the old West Riding and ranges from Sheffield in the South to Ripon in the North.
 
Richard Knockton, Zetland Lodge Master, said: “During the ‘lockdown’, hospices have been unable to raise funds from their usual activities, including income generated via their charity shops. And more important, they are not aided by large amounts of Government funds.
 
“With this being the case, the Lodge took the decision to support our local hospices from our ‘Relief Chest’ funds.
 
“Albeit it is split between the four hospices above, this is probably the largest single donation that we have made from our Relief Chest, and I hope it goes some way in assisting them during this particularly difficult time.”
 
Richard added: “Despite being unable to hold our Lodge meetings, we have not lost sight of our three founding principles, with charitable giving being at the centre of them.
 
“This money has come from the pockets of our members, and I’m delighted that we are able to support the work of these four wonderful organisations, that are so valued by us all, in some small way.”