Over the past year, Freemasons from two London Lodges with connections in the north of the city were looking for a local charity to support. St. Catherine’s Park Lodge and Mill Hill Lodge identified Noah’s Ark Children’s Hospice as a suitable charity. This hospice provides support for babies, children and young people with life-limiting or life-threatening conditions and their families in North and Central London, and Hertsmere. Their longstanding community-based services have now been complemented by the services on offer at their new hospice building, The Ark in Barnet.
On 25th January, 12 members from both Lodges attended the ‘Ark’ which is the Hospice’s new premises offering 24-hour end-of-life, post-death and bereavement care, overnight stays and sensory music and art rooms. Two Cheques totalling £3,000 were presented to support the ongoing provision of equipment for the new building. Noah’s Ark relies almost entirely on donations to provide services. During the visit it was evident local businesses were supporting the provision of facilities which are helping to complete the building.
During a guided tour of the facility, Punyapriya Singh, Head of Community Engagement, said “It was such a pleasure to show the members around The Ark, a newly built children’s hospice in North London. Being a local charity we rely on organisations such as the London Freemasons to enable us to continue to provide vital services where it’s needed the most. On behalf of everyone at Noah’s Ark Children’s Hospice a Big Thank You for helping us Bring The Ark to Life!”
Both Lodges are looking to continue their support of the unit in the coming years. Michael Shpakov of St. Catherine’s Park Lodge told us; “London Masons are delighted to be able to help in this vital children’s Hospice. This is just one of the many charity grants made by London Masons to support a wide range of London based charities. This donation follows on from a £1,250,000 donation, of a £2.5 million funding pledge from London Freemasons to London Fire Brigade. The funding will provide London Fire Brigade with two extended height aerial vehicles.”
