On the 19th of March 2018, WBro Chris Zouch, Worshipful Master of Kingsley Lodge No. 2431, his wife, Coreen, and WBro Walt Thompson (the Lodge's charity steward) were pleased to visit Rainbows Hospice and present them with a cheque for £1,750.
From left, WBro Chris Zouch (WM of Kingsley Lodge), Alison Furlong (Rainbows Community Fund Raiser), Coreen Zouch and WBro Walt Thompson (Kingsley Lodge Charity Steward)
Rainbows is the only hospice for children and young people in the East Midlands. Notwithstanding that the services of the hospice are free, £5.5 million has to be raised each year to keep it running.
The hospice provides respite breaks, high-quality medical care and a supportive environment for the whole family. It gives the children a chance to laugh and play, and the families, a chance to enjoy quality time together. They also support the whole family through the weeks, months and years following a bereavement.
Chris, Coreen and Walt were made very welcome by Alison and the rest of the Rainbows team, who gave them a very informative and poignant tour of the hospice facilities.
Chris said:
Why did I, the Worshipful Master, choose Rainbows as my charity? Simple, because some children just don't live long enough!