The Mark Benevolent Fund continues its partnership with Lifelites, with a visit to Cornwall.
The Mark Benevolent Fund continues its partnership with Lifelites, with a visit to Cornwall.
On Monday 7th October, R.W.Bro Kevin Hicks Provincial Grand Master of the Mark Province of Cornwall along with his Assistant Provincial Grand Master Chris Hawkey, Provincial Grand Secretary Simon Trevains, Assistant Provincial Grand Secretary Trevor Conroy and their ladies, were joined by Darren Coleman-Heald, Charities Manager from the Grand Lodge of Mark Master Masons, R.W.Bro Stephen Pearn Provincial Grand Master of the Craft Province of Cornwall, a number of his team and their ladies, to make a presentation to Children’s Hospice South West at Little Harbour, which is located in Porthpean near St Austell on the stunning south coast of Cornwall overlooking the tranquil Pentewan Valley.
Lifelites donates assistive technology to over 10,000 life-limited and disabled children in hospices across the country, and this vital funding will support a brand- new project being launched by the charity this year – the Tech Trunk. The donation of £14,144 to Little Harbour is part of a major collaboration between the Mark Benevolent Fund which has donated £141,00 and lifelites, this will enable Lifelites to carry out 15 presentations across the country to Children’s Hospices’.
The Tech Trunk is a solution for Hospice at Home services across the country that deliver palliative and respite care for children out in the community. The portable trunks enable hospice staff to take the Lifelites technology with them wherever they go, giving children the opportunity to have access to life-changing technology in their own home.
The trunks include accessible, portable technology such as a Virtual Reality Headset, specialist iPads, games consoles and an Eyegaze, which enables children to use a computer just with the movement of their eyes. All of this technology gives these children the opportunity to play, be creative, control something for themselves and communicate, for as long as it is possible.
This funding has also enabled Lifelites to donate to Little Harbour Interactive Entertainment Hubs and a Mobile Magic Carpet (so well demonstrated by our Provincial Grand Masters of the Mark and Craft playing football ), and other technology. The project also provides vital training for children’s hospice staff on how to use it as well as ongoing technical support.
In an article in the latest edition of Freemasonry today, Simone Enefer-Doy, Chief Executive of Lifelites, said: ‘Our small team works tirelessly to raise the funds we so desperately need, and to have this unbelievably generous gift from the Mark Benevolent Fund is a complete game-changer for Lifelites. It will help us provide technology to thousands of children across the country, children who don’t have the same opportunities that we do. Every moment is precious, and thanks to this donation we can help these children and their families make the most of every second.’
We were joined at Little harbour for the presentation by Darren Coleman-Heald, Charities Manager from the Grand Lodge of Mark Master Masons, said: ‘We are delighted to have joined forces with Lifelites in this all-important project that reaches deep in to the heart of your community giving enjoyment and stimulation to life-limited and disabled children. ‘Our 36,000 members will be pleased to know that their donations are being used wisely by helping those in need across the UK.’
More information on the Mark Benevolent Fund project with Lifelites can be found in the latest edition of freemasonry today
