Ward 9 at the Freeman Hospital, which is currently dealing with inpatients who are suffering from some of the most acute Covid-19 symptoms, have received a much needed donation of toiletries from St Anthony’s Lodge No.4423, which meets at Byker Masonic Hall.
Eagle eyed Darren Bolton, the Mentor of St Anthony’s Lodge, spotted an appeal for toiletry donations on his local Facebook page, from Jennifer Barnes, who works at the ward, asking “”Has anyone got or would like to donate any unwanted toiletries like shower gels to patients of the Freeman. It’s been weeks since they’ve been allowed visitors and most don’t have their own toiletries. Especially for those who are long stay”.
He immediately got to work, with the rest of the lodge, and raised the magnificent amount of £110 through various donations, which was used to purchase shower gels, deodorants, body lotions, shaving gels and shampoos, as well as donating a number of gift sets, which were gratefully received. Jennifer Barnes told Darren “If the people I looked after could speak, I could imagine they and their families would say a massive thank you.”
Darren explained “The Covid pandemic has obviously exhausted the stocks of toiletries that hospitals, such as the Freeman, have available for patients who can’t have visitors, due to Covid. I have personally known people who have been hospitalised, one person in particular, unfortunately, succumbing to this awful virus. This just seemed like an opportunity to help out, albeit in a limited way, in providing patients with some basic necessities, to make a small improvement to what must be an awful time in hospital for them”.
Well done Darren and the rest of St Anthony’s Lodge for your much needed support during these very trying times.
Many thanks to Bro. Darren Bolton for the submission of this article.
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