Over two years ago, Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Gloucester launched the Thorpe Hall Capital Appeal to fund the building of a new state-of-the-art hospice building at Thorpe Hall in Peterborough.
Local Mason Ian Knox (whose wife had spent her final days at the Hospice) took up the challenge of helping raise funds in support of this Appeal. He has successfully spearheaded efforts which have resulted in donations from Lodges and individuals across the Province.
(l to r) WBro Gerry Crawford (ProvGChStwd), WBro Ian Knox (fund raising coordinator), WBro David Burton (APGM), Jane Petit, WBro Alan Nicholls (PGC Trustee), WBro Russell Laxton (Local Communication Officer)
These efforts have been supported by the Provincial Grand Charity and on 8 September 2015 at Thorpe Hall local Masons, led by the APGM, WBro David Burton, presented a cheque for £25,000 to Jane Petit, its Director. (In addition, some individual Masons and Lodges have sent donations directly. These will bring the total Masonic donations to about £50,000.)
Jane Petit said
Thank you for coming along and presenting us with such an incredible amount of money. We are incredibly grateful.
This coincided with a visit from Her Royal Highness during which she official opened the new building.