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Freemasons of Grimsby’s Astral Lodge have made history twice on the same night – first by making the largest-ever donation to a charity helping millions of children, and second by stunning into silence the man who runs it in Lincolnshire.
The Astral members gave £1,520 to the Teddies For Loving Care charity, all of which had been raised from activities during Nigel Hollington’s year as Lodge Master.
Nigel said his family had personal experience of the charity. “It’s been a major part of my life, and I have family members who have benefited. I wanted to say thank you.”
Lincolnshire’s Teddies For Loving Care representative Graham Cadel admits he’s not normally stuck for something to say – but he said: “There are people here who’ll be surprised at what I’m going to say next. I’m speechless. I don’t know what to say. This is a fantastic amount, and absolutely wonderful.
”This charity is about so much more than giving teddy bears to children. It’s about giving comfort at some of the most trying times in their short lives, not just to them but to their families too. The children get on-the-spot comfort; the families learn that someone they’ve never met, and will probably never meet, cares enough to stand with them when they find themselves in a dark place. That’s what Freemasons do. It’s the outcomes created by our financial commitments that change lives for the better.”
Teddies For Loving Care has so far given more than four million little bears, which go on to be treasured by the children who’ve received them.
In the picture, from left, are new member Cris Bubolea, current Master Keith Edwards, Charity Steward Mike Kelly, Nigel Hollington, and Graham Cadel.
