Ashby Freemasons News & Charity Updates

Hastings Lodge Supports Derby Renal Unit with £1,200 Donation

Fri, 23 Oct 2026 12:55:29 GMT

On Friday 14th August, six members of Hastings Lodge No. 8695 travelled from the Masonic Hall in Ashby de la Zouch, Leicestershire, to the Renal Unit at Derby Royal Infirmary. They went to hand over the Lodge’s donation to the Unit’s fundraising appeal.

Peter Jones was joined on the visit by Mervyn Wass, Stuart Cooper, John Starkey, Tony Jones and Malcolm Bond. They presented a cheque for £1,150, which brought the Lodge’s total gift to £1,200.

Replacing a much-loved caravan

The Renal Unit is raising £75,000 to replace its specially equipped holiday caravan on the Welsh coast, which can no longer be used. The caravan lets patients on dialysis go on holiday with their families while still getting the treatment they need, which is something many of them would otherwise struggle to do. About £50,000 has been raised so far, so the Unit is well on its way to its target.

Why the appeal matters to us

For Hastings Lodge, this cause is personal. Two members, Tony Jones and Malcolm Bond, are being treated at the Renal Unit, and Brother Malcolm has dialysis at home every day. Seeing what the Unit does for them is what led the Lodge to get behind the appeal.

Sharing what Freemasonry stands for

The cheque was handed over in the Renal Unit’s waiting room. Consultants, nurses and more than twenty patients were there to see it. The visit was also a chance to tell people a little about the charitable side of Freemasonry.

Malcolm Bond spoke briefly about Freemasonry’s values and its long tradition of supporting good causes. He also explained why the Lodge chose the Renal Unit’s appeal. His talk went down well, and it showed how Masonic giving can make a real difference to individuals and their families.

Helping the Unit reach its goal

Hastings Lodge No. 8695 is proud to support the appeal. We hope our donation helps the Renal Unit reach its £75,000 target, so that many more patients and their families can enjoy a well-earned holiday together.

Ferrers and Ivanhoe Lodge Charity Night

Thu, 28 May 2026 15:11:05 GMT

The Brethren of Ferrers and Ivanhoe Lodge recently came together for a wonderful charity evening, presenting a total of £4,500 in donations to a fantastic selection of local causes. Recipients on the night included the Ashby Canal Association, Ashby Museum, Ashby Young Farmers, St Helen's Church, the Shuttlewood Clarke Foundation, and Cancer Active Recovery Support (C.A.R.S.) — a diverse range of organisations that between them do so much for the local community and beyond.

It was a proud evening for the Lodge, with representatives from each charity in attendance to receive their cheques in person, and the smiles on display spoke volumes about the impact such support can make. Freemasonry has always placed charitable giving at its heart, and nights like this are a fine example of that tradition in action here in Ashby.

Hastings Charity Steward’s Report 2025-2026

Thu, 28 May 2026 15:04:11 GMT

In 2025, Hastings Lodge demonstrated its continued commitment to supporting worthy causes both locally and further afield, donating a total of £1,728.00 to a range of charitable appeals.

Contributions included £200 to the Air Ambulance, £28.50 to the Poppy Appeal in support of our armed forces veterans, and £250 each to support two Girl Scouting trips for members of the Davies and Coker families.

The Lodge's most significant single donation was £1,000 towards Martha Millington Pipe's teaching volunteer trip to Nakuru, Kenya, a sponsorship that as recent updates have shown, has made a truly meaningful difference to the children she has been working with.

The Brethren of Hastings Lodge can be proud of the generosity shown throughout the year.

Martha’s volunteer trip to Nakuru

Thu, 28 May 2026 11:17:31 GMT

Earlier this month, Martha, the granddaughter of WBro Mervyn Wass, embarked on a volunteer teaching trip to Nakuru, Kenya, made possible in part by the generous support of Hastings Lodge.

Despite a challenging start spending two days confined to her hotel due to serious civil unrest over fuel prices, Martha threw herself into her work, helping local schoolchildren with their reading and maths.

The trip took on a particularly special note on 20th May, Martha's 20th birthday, when the children gathered around her and sang happy birthday.

The smiling faces in these photos speak for themselves, and WBro Mervyn has asked us to pass on that the Lodge's contribution will never be forgotten.