The Province has been commended by a national children’s charity for its support which the charity says has made a huge difference to the lives of hundreds of children throughout the region.
Lifelites, which began as a Masonic initiative in 1999 but has since become a charity in its own right, provides specialist technology to children in each of the 49 children’s hospice in the UK and Ireland, including several ones local to the Province. These include Helen House, EACH Milton and Rainbows.
Simone Enefer-Doy, Lifelites Chief Executive, said
We had a lovely surprise this summer when a delegation from the Province visited our office with a huge cheque. But everything about the way the Province has worked has been like that: from their regular lodge collections and speaking invitations right through to the Silverstone Half Marathon, treks and everything in between.
The charity has invited several members of the Province to visit nearby projects, most recently at Rainbows in Loughborough and EACH in Milton. Brethren have been very impressed with what they have seen, particularly the Eyegaze. This revolutionary technology can provide even the most disabled user with an opportunity to control a computer – all through the movement of their eyes.
Simone said
The technology is providing something essential to these children – fun. When Lifelites last visited, one boy was engaged in a custard pie throwing contest making splatting noises, something which provided a rare escape from the routine his illness and disability dictate.
Sam West, a hospice care worker says, smiling
It was seeing how much he laughed when he could make these noises, because he can’t do that vocally.
He plays games with the Eyegaze and, because he can’t speak, it enables him to express himself and you realise he’s just a silly, cheeky little boy. Like everyone else his age he just wants to have fun.
Stories like this are not uncommon to Lifelites who have been providing specialist technology for children in hospices for fifteen years. With this new development, Lifelites can make a real difference to children with disabilities affecting their dexterity and motor skills and afford them the freedom and fun they deserve.
Some Masons in the Province have already signed up for the Silverstone Half Marathon scheduled for 15 March 2015. If you are interested in this or in supporting Lifelites more generally, please contact Provincial Grand Charity Steward, WBro Gerry Crawford for more information.