Throughout our lives, everyone will be affected by cancer in some way, whether it’s a friend, neighbour or loved one. John Williams of Hardshaw Lodge 8722 in the Mersey Valley Group is no exception. However, John is striving to make a difference.
John experienced the heartbreaking loss of his father-in-law, a very close friend of his and his neighbour, due to this cruel disease. Additionally, in 2021, he lost his beloved mother, Lesma Williams, to cancer. Unfortunately, due to the COVID-19 pandemic and resulting flight restrictions, John was unable to be with her during her final moments.
John was determined not to remain passive; instead, he chose to act in support of others. He wanted to honour the memory of his beloved mother and pay tribute to those people have lost, to stand in solidarity with those who have fought and overcome their battle with cancer, as well as with those who are still fighting this terrible disease
John, along with his friend and fellow lodge member Les Newman, decided to organise a fundraising night for Cancer Research UK. The event was scheduled for a Saturday night at the St Helens Masonic Hall. Planning such an event requires a lot of effort, so John’s first call was to Tony Ackroyd to confirm the availability of the hall and to see if Tony could handle the catering. Tony was more than happy to help.
There was never any doubt about the support for John’s night. John is a beloved member of Hardshaw Lodge, and his family, friends, and brothers from Hardshaw, along with Freemasons in general, came together to show their full support for what is a fantastic cause.
The evening began, and the hall was filled with family and friends, all eagerly anticipating a fantastic night. John had enlisted the help of a few friends for the occasion. Master of ceremonies Brian Moore ensured that the event ran smoothly, while hall director Chris Maloney readily welcomed everyone and shared a brief history of St Helens Hall. John’s friend and fellow Freemason, Bryan Davidson, aka Fast Eddie, entertained the crowd with songs and a few questionable jokes, which delighted all those in attendance.
The evening was filled with fun and laughter. Lodge members Sandy and Gareth organised a raffle and even included a couple of auctions for added excitement. As this fantastic evening ended, John expressed his gratitude to everyone for their support. He gave special thanks to his co-organiser, Les, and of course, to his long-suffering wife, Elaine, without whose support none of this would have been possible.
The evening was a resounding success, with John announcing that the event had raised the princely sum of £2,000 on behalf of Cancer Research UK. For more information on Cancer Research, click here.
