East Lancashire Freemasons via Bolton District have donated £3000 to The Bolton Student Flats Fire Appeal. The money has been provided from the Provincial Grand Lodge of East Lancashire’s Disaster Relief Fund. This is after the horrific fire that spread through the The Cube student accommodation in Bolton on Friday 15th November 2019. The fire resulted in an immediate evacuation of all occupants. Of the 221 rooms, 220 were occupied by students with 213 of those receiving further education at the University of Bolton. These residents are both UK and international students and had to leave immediately in only what they were wearing. They have been left with few personal possessions and sadly there is no prospect of returning to this accommodation given the severity of the fire. International students also have issues with lost passports and visa documentation.
The Bolton Student Flats Fire Appeal has been set up with the money being raised to compensate the students for loss of property, and it made available to those affected from today. The Fire Appeal has been set up to be managed within the Greater Manchester Disaster Relief Fund. If you are able to donate then please follow this link:- https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/BoltonStudentFlatsFireAppeal
Charity Steward Bob Findlay of Bolton District Freemasons said,

“Having seen those awful images on Friday night we knew we had to try and do something to help. Luckily no-one was seriously injured, but those students have lost all of their possessions. University can be stressful enough so hopefully this helps in easing some of that burden. We have a close relationship with the University of Bolton because of the Universities Scheme being linked to Goulburn Menturia Lodge, so really are glad we can assist.”

Bolton Hall is located on Institute Street, literally round the corner from the fire. Due to the amazing work of the firefighters and emergency services the fire was contained to one building.
For more information on the Masonic Universities Scheme visit Goulburn Menturia Lodge’s website:- https://www.gmlodge3478.co.uk/