Jarrow

The Master of Jarrow Grange Lodge, Danny Martin, and the lodge charity steward Billy Armstrong are seen in the photo handing a cheque to the value of £300 to Tracey Beaton a patron of “Bede Helping Hands”.

“Bede Helping Hands” is a charity that is helping local people in the Jarrow area who are struggling to get through these tough times. The £300 was raised by Jarrow Grange Lodge at their “Burns night social” held on Saturday the 20th of January. The event was well attended by members of the lodge, supported by their friends and family, and visiting members from other lodges, who all enjoyed a Burns night supper as well as lots of light-hearted entertainment after the haggis had been piped in and formally addressed.

At the last meeting of the lodge, Billy made a plea for extra help from the members to help supply tinned and dried foods as well as toiletries etc, which would be donated monthly to give Bede Helping Hands charity some much needed help.

Tracey Beaton and some of her colleagues from the charity, have been invited to attend the next “open night” to give the members a broader insight into how they are helping local people, not just with food handouts, but also advice on many subjects to help them through these difficult times.

Well done Jarrow Grange.

Jarrow Grange ended their Masonic year as they held their traditional open night, allowing wives, partners and friends to attend, but with a very pleasing duty attached.

When Covid restrictions were eased and lodges were allowed to up again, Past Master Bill Armstrong and his wife Jaqueline were keen to organise a charity night in aid of the Alzheimer’s Society to celebrate being together again and to raise funds for a charity dear to their hearts. Bill lost two uncles to Alzheimer’s during the Covid pandemic and owing to the restrictions in place at the time was unable to celebrate their lives as they so deserved. There was an inherent risk in this endeavour that people would not feel comfortable to mix with others so quickly after the easement of our previous confinements but fortunately their concerns were not realised and over 50 members and guests enjoyed a wonderful evening in the Jarrow Masonic Hall, with entertainment provided by Barry G, and a Geordie Supper provided by John Kerrison, culminating in them raising a significant sum for that charity.

Back to the open night and, aside from brethren, friends and family, two very special guests from the Alzheimer’s Society were on hand to take receipt of a cheque for £1,500.  Bill was pleased to present the cheque to Siobhan and Debbie to thank them for the fabulous work they do and with the hope that this modest sum would help them to continue their selfless endeavours.

Rather unfortunately there cannot be many members who have not been touched with family or friends suffering with one of the many forms of dementia which makes this particularly noteworthy.

Debbie outlined her role as an Ambassador for the cause, noting how the support provided during her personal experience led to her involvement and how much that support helps family members understand and cope with the changes in their loved ones, which was reinforced by Siobhan who described and illustrated some of the many activities that this money will be used to fund and will ease some of the symptoms of dementia.  A worthy cause indeed and applause to all involved.