On Wednesday the 13th February 2019, WBro Francis Margôt PAGDC, Huntingdon Group Officer, and WBro Barry Smethurst, Charity Steward of St Ivo Lodge No. 2684, visited the East of England Children's Hospice in Church Lane, Milton, Cambridge to witness the outstanding work undertaken by Lifelites charity.
WBro Francis Margôt PAGDC, WBro Barry Smethurst (4th and 5th from left respectively), and WBro Paul Gillingwater (Provincial Grand Charity Steward for the Masonic Province of Cambridgeshire - right) with representatives of Lifelites
Through the magic of technology, Lifelites gives life-limited and disabled children in hospices opportunities they wouldn't otherwise have.
Lifelites provides specialist entertainment and educational technology packages for these young people to learn, play, be creative, control something for themselves and communicate - for as long as it is possible.
Thanks in part to charitable funding provided by the Masonic Province of Northamptonshire & Huntingdonshire and the Masonic Province of Cambridgeshire, Lifelites has been able to purchase much-needed equipment costing approximately £18,000.
Following a presentation from representatives of the charity, WBro Francis and WBro Barry were invited to test-drive the new equipment.
WBro Francis was able to fly like an eagle using a 3D virtual-reality simulator, and WBro Barry was able to play on a magic carpet.
WBro Barry trying-out the magic carpet
The visiting brethren were also delighted to meet young Abbie Denton, who was able to control a computer by eye movement alone. Abbie’s brothers also helped to put the new equipment through its paces.
Abbie Denton operating the computer using only her eye movement
The Province is thrilled to be able to support such a worthwhile charity, and we hope that the new equipment will benefit children at the Hospice for many years to come.