Ecclesholme, the Masonic Care Home in Manchester, has for many years been operated by the Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution. Unfortunately, the 2023 figures show that the residency taken up by Masonic residents has reduced to only 5 out of 50, and the RMBI decided to sell Ecclesholme to a private company with the Masonic residents continuing to receive benefits from the RMBI and the MCF.
The Friends of Ecclesholme Trust consequently ceased to operate and under their terms of reference they transferred their closing funds of £49,450 to WLFC. In turn WLFC recognised that recent donations to the trust had been made by the Provinces of East Lancashire and Cheshire and in accordance with the wishes of the Trustees, WLFC arranged to forward the monies to these Provinces.
A meeting was then arranged to be held at the WLFC office for a presentation to take place. President of Ecclesholme Steve Gregory along with the treasurer Jonathon Heaton, vice president Malcolm Warren, secretary Mike Heather and trustee Peter Hegarty presented a cheque for £49,450 to Paul McLachlan Chief Finance Officer and Alan Riley Applications Manager for WLFC, on behalf of WLFC. Alan Riley thanked Steve Gregory and said it was thankfully received and would be faithfully applied.
WLFC, in recognition of the donations made to Ecclesholme by the Provinces of East Lancashire and Cheshire, John James, Assistant Provincial Grand Master with responsibility for the charities, and Paul McLachlan CFO of WLFC presented a cheque for £7,500 to Peter Hegarty, Assistant Provincial Grand Master of the Province of East Lancashire, and a cheque for £7,500 to John Lacy, Provincial Deputy Grand Charity Steward of the Province of Cheshire, both Provinces were highly delighted to receive these donations from WLFC.
Pictures and story by Malcolm Sandywell, Regional Charity Steward.