The Provincial Grand Lodge of Cheshire
Cheshire Freemasons support Stockport Mencap.
A hard working group of volunteers said a big thank you last week to Cheshire Freemasons following a donation given to part fund a much needed holiday for adults with learning difficulties.
Stockport Gateway, a club affiliated to Stockport Mencap, is made up of volunteers who run social events in Heaton Moor each Thursday and an arts and crafts club every other Wednesday. The activities are open to adults with learning difficulties from the Stockport area. Mencap provide the use of the hall, but otherwise the group in unfunded.
To give a great deal of enjoyment for those who attend the club as well as to provide respite for relatives and carers, the volunteers run a number of day trips each year, but what everyone in the club most look forward to is their annual holiday. The holiday is unfunded other than a donation from Mencap for transport, so members wishing to attend must find the funds. Such holidays are costly so the club works hard to raise funds to make it accessible to more people. The aim is to provide a full week of activity including zoos visits, boat trips, the cinema, attend shows, horse ride, a day at the beach, shopping etc.
Pictured are members from the Club enjoying their holiday
Jane Parker, Chair and Holiday Organiser for the Stockport Gateway Club said “Thanks to the generous Freemasons donation, we could top up the holiday fund which contributed a huge amount to help with transport and trips out. The holiday destination for 2018 was Llandudno and everyone had a great time. Planning is underway for Morecambe in July 2019, the invite letters go out next week – it will be a very exciting evening!Cheshire Freemason Harry Wright said “we were delighted to be able to support Jane and her team. They work so hard giving up their free time to help so many adults whose lives are dramatically enhanced thanks to the hard work they do. It was very rewarding to see the good use the donation was put towards”