WK News - Issue 13 (2) - Flipbook - Page 29
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WEST KENT NEWS | ISSUE NO.13 SUMMER 2024
INSPIRATIONAL
CHARITY SPIRIT
The
Distinguishing
Characteristic
of
a
Freemasons Heart.
By Steve Hawney WM Westwood
Lodge No 8046
On the eve of my Dads funeral whilst
my Wife and Mum were shopping for
food and drink for the wake, they
stopped for a tea and in a moment of
distraction, my 9 month old son
pulled a freshly boiled pot of water
over himself, leading to horrific
burns, which thanks to the quick and
decisive first aid administered by my
wife, were less damaging than they
could have been.
What followed was months of visits
to the Burns Unit in East Grinstead
for dressings to be changed, check
ups
and
treatment
to
be
administered. It was here we saw
first hand the amazing work of the
Children9s Burns Trust. Until this
point, although I had always
considered myself a charitable
person,
always
generous
with
friends and family, I had never really
been involved, effected, receptive or
indeed engaged in a charity at all.
Since my sons accident that all
changed. My wife started her own
business offering paediatric first aid
to new and expectant parents and
carers as well as going into schools
to teach first aid to the younger
generations. This became a big
factor in her own recovery dealing
with the guilt she had, knowing she
was helping to educate others. When
at a conference she met members of
The Childrens Burns Trust and
started to offer her time and support
to them in various capacities which
became more rewarding to us as a
family than donating.
So in the build up to going into the
chair at The Westwood Lodge No
8046 it was an easy decision when I
was asked what my masters charity
would be for the ensuing year and
I was exceptionally keen to give it
my absolute best effort.
The members and guests of the
Lodge were so supportive of my
emotional announcement of this
choice and got behind it one
hundred percent, I even had one
brother instantly slip a folded note
into my hand. During my year
everyone has been amazing and the
concept of 8the distinguishing
characteristic of a Freemasons
heart9 really hit home.
I could not be prouder of my Lodge,
my Province or the fraternity in
general and am absolutely thrilled to
announce that with everybody9s
support, we raised an amazing
£3000.00 over three events. As
follows:
Race Night: In November we had a
virtual race night at The Westwood
Centre where we had over 60
attendees sponsoring and naming
(often to much amusement at the
commentators
expense)
various
horses across eight races. As well
as backing your favourite and
cheering them on, we had half time
bingo, mid race quiz and other
games and competitions along the
way. Each winning owner was
presented with a trophy and prize
money by our very own resident
horse and jockey. The guests were
fed with sausage and chips in a
basket
and
everyone
had
a
wonderful time. This event raised
over £1,300.00
Golf
Day:
Every
year
The
Westwood Lodge has a charity golf
day for the Bob Osbourn Cup in
memory of Bob. In May, the Lodge
kindly enabled that this event be in
aid of The Childrens Burns Trust.
We held this at Pedham Place Golf
Club and had 22 players. We were
fortunate to get sponsorship from
Onelift Limited who supplied all
trophies and prizes meaning the
cost remained low. Although the
weather was dire for the fist nine,
everyone had a great time and the
atmosphere
was
amazing.
Congratulations to John chapman
for winning the Cup. We raised over
£450.00
Ladies Night: 88 beautiful human
beings
entered
the
Danson
Boathouse in June to celebrate with
us and give praise to our partners.
Among these guests were Jo and
Sue from The Children9s Burns Trust
who were guests of the Lodge. My
memory of the evening is sketchy at
best but I know we had an amazing
singer/guitarist playing during the
cocktail hour and through the three
course dinner followed by an equally
talented
Saxophonist
playing
alongside the DJ through till
midnight. Everyone who attended
had a great time and we even
received interest from guests about
joining the fraternity. Jo and Sue
were then awarded with a Cheque
for £2,600, taking the total raised to
£3,000
from
our
cumulative
fundraising
efforts
(see
Photo
below)
In summary, there is no better
feeling than giving, and even more
so watching your brothers give in
support of a charity you may be
passionate about. I thank from the
bottom of my heart every brother
that has offered encouragement and
support and everyone who donated
to this amazing charity.