A meals on wheels service formed at the start of the COVID outbreak has celebrated its one year anniversary and received a cash boost from Northumberland Freemasons.
The Masonic Meals on Wheels Project began in lodges in Bedlington and Ashington in South East Northumberland at the start of lockdown with just a few recipients. It now averages 120 meals per week being delivered to vulnerable and isolated members of lodges and their families. The project is growing week by week with meals being delivered to Morpeth, Ashington, Bedlington, Blyth, North Tyneside and across to Hexham and the Tyne Valley. Each delivery includes soup and a traditional roast dinner with more than 30 volunteer drivers helping out every Sunday.
Head of Northumberland Freemasons, Ian Craigs visited the meals on wheel team to present every volunteer with a certificate of thanks to recognise the sterling work everyone had put into the service. A cheque for £16.450 was also presented to ensure that the work continues until at least September.
Organisers Paul Dunning and Jim Grant were delighted at the donation and the giving of certificates:
“At first we were all about providing food during lockdown but now it’s more than that – it’s about connecting vulnerable people and being a lifeline for them, it’s being someone to say hello to and someone to help if they are poorly or in need of support,” said Jim.
“The generous donation will ensure that we continue with our work into the Autumn and hopefully beyond. Our volunteers are engaging with the recipients and it’s a really effective community service that we need to keep going,” said Paul.
Ian Craigs added: ”The volunteers are out every Sunday no matter what the weather or their own personal commitments and we wanted to formally say thank you to them for their dedication and service. I’m very proud of each and every one of them and long may the project continue.”
Have you got a good news story or event to promote? Contact our Communications Team direct at news@northumberlandmasons.org, or on our social media pages, where a member of the team will get back to you.