At its pre-Christmas meeting on Tuesday 3rd December 2024 and following a Notice of Motion given at the previous meeting in October, the Chicheley Chapter’s Charity Steward, E Comp Geoff Duff, proposed and the MEZ, E Comp L Clark, seconded, that the Chapter donate the sum of £500 to the Northamptonshire Health Charitable Fund Reg Charity No 11658702, with a request to the Charity that this was to be ring-fenced for the Skylark Children’s Ward, Neonatal Unit at Kettering General Hospital (KGH). The reason for nominating this particular charity for our support was because the Chapter’s outstanding Principal Sojourner, Comp Andy McGovern, works at KGH on the Skylark Ward. Comp Andy was also appointed Mayor of Thrapston in 2024 and had specified that the Charity would be his “chosen charity” during his year of Mayoral office.
Photograph l to r: E Comp Jeff Chambers (Scribe E), Claire Green (Play Specialist, Skylark Ward), E Comp Luke Clark (MEZ), Linda Diver (Play Specialist, Skylark Ward), E Comp Geoff Duff (Charity Steward), Ms Justine Cheadle (Community Fundraiser, Northamptonshire Health Charitable Fund) Comp Mick Warren (Provincial Grand Charity Steward).
The Companions responded magnificently and showed their wholehearted support for our three Principals, for the Chapter’s Charity Steward, for the Charity itself, for the Skylark Ward and for our Principal Sojourner, Comp Andy McGovern, (the former Mayor of Thrapston).
The Chapter subsequently applied to Provincial Grand Chapter for an uplift from the Provincial Grand Charity which request was further supported by the Provincial Grand Chapter’s Charity Steward, E Comp Graham Minett. Members of Chicheley Chapter were later delighted to hear that the Provincial Grand Charity had agreed to increase the Chapter’s donation by a further £500 making a total donation of £1000.
On Thursday 4th September 2025, Chapter members attended KGH for a cheque handover presentation to key members of the Charity and the ward staff. We were warmly welcomed by the staff who were clearly delighted with, and very grateful for, our support.
Our MEZ, E Comp Luke Clark, having travelled from his coffee shop in Mawdsley Village, was proud to present the cheque on behalf of the Chapter to the Skylark Ward Staff members: E Comp Luke is no stranger to the ward as he is a member of the Masonic Bikers Association and was part of the team that delivered Easter Eggs to the ward earlier in the year. The event was also attended by E Comp Geoff Duff (Charity Steward), E Comp Jeff Chambers (Scribe E) and Comp Mick Warren (Provincial Grand Charity Steward). Unfortunately, Comp Andy McGovern was unable to attend as he was a spectator at Lords on that day!
The Chapter received a letter of thanks from the Charity which stated:
“Thank you so much for your generous support for the Skylark Children’s Ward and the Neonatal Unit at Kettering General Hospital. We really do appreciate it.
“Just to clarify your request regarding ‘ring-fencing’ the donation, please rest assured that your gift will benefit the Skylark Ward through the charitable fund set up specifically to support University Hospitals of Northamptonshire. The team will have access to these funds for projects, equipment and improvements that directly support their young patients.”