On Friday 28th September, the Rochdale District hosted a ‘Celebration of Charitable Giving’ evening at Rochdale Masonic Buildings. Ten recipients of money donated by Rochdale Lodges or the Rochdale Masonic Social Committee were invited to attend and talk about their particular organisation or personal circumstances and what the monies donated would mean or had meant to them.
The District Chairman WBro Peter Rhodes began proceedings by welcoming all present, particularly the invited guest speakers. The audience were clearly moved by some of the speakers and what they had to say. WBro Rhodes presented a commemorative certificate to each speakers once they had finished their presentations. Everyone in attendance thoroughly enjoyed the occasion which in every case highlighted the great work and support given by Freemasons to worthy causes in their local communities. The District Chairman gave his closing remarks thanking all who organised the evening, with particular thanks to the guest speakers and to everybody in attendance.
Particular thanks must be given to Dudley Doolittle who was brilliant as MC for the evening and to the catering staff for an excellent buffet.
The ten speakers on the evening are listed below:
Rochdale Children’s Moorland Home – Mrs Jane Barker;
Manchester Royal Infirmary Butterfly Bags – Mrs Sarah Shipton;
Rochdale Food Bank – Mr Ian Wight;
Springhill Hospice – Mrs Barbara Lloyd;
Molly Howarth – Mr Richard Howarth;
Rochdale Soup Kitchen – Mrs Vida Slater;
Salle Angelo Fencing Club – Mr Paul Marr;
Papyrus – Mrs Sarah Fitchett;
North West Air Ambulance Service – Mrs Liz Greenwood;
Rochdale Masonic Buildings – WBro Brian Armistead.
