On a very cold day in December, the Chairman of Mersey Valley Group John Murphy, accompanied by Gary Devlin, Group Charity Steward and Bob Williams, Regional Charity Steward, attended at St Michael with St Thomas Church in Widnes to present a cheque from monies donated by the members of the group as part of the Provincial Foodbank Appeal and West Lancashire Freemasons’ Charity in support of the church Christmas appeal.
They were greeted by Reverend Linda Riley-Dawkin, the parish priest and Reverend Canon Peter Dawkin, the chair of Widnes Foodbank who gave a tour and history of the magnificent interior of the church with its very impressive stained-glass windows.
Rev Linda explained the work they do in supporting the local community by working with school family workers who have identified 30 families who are in real need.
John Murphy presented Rev Linda with a cheque for £600 who was overjoyed and explained that the money would be spent on supplying not only staple food but fresh fruit, vegetables and dairy products, and a treat or two as it is Christmas. She said that both she and the family workers were so grateful for the generosity of the local Freemasons because without their help the families would be facing real hardship this Christmas.
48 food parcels plus £!0 vouchers were delivered to Bishop Martin CE School based in Woolton on behalf of Garston Masonic Hall and South Liverpool Labour Party for families requiring support. The parcels contained variety of corn flakes, tins of tuna, peas, beans, pasta, sauces, jam, jars of mincemeat, children’s sweets and selection boxes also a variety of new children’s clothes donated by the Very clothing group. Each family will receive 3 parcels and a £10 voucher to be redeemed against meat or poultry.