Hi Guys,

May I express a heartfelt vote of thanks to all of you for the support you have given during the year to my charity...

MESSAGE FROM OUR PAST MASTER

RICHARD BEDINI

Starlight is an organisation that as their banner says ‘brightens up the lives of seriously and terminally ill children’ by granting them a wish…

And… with your donations we raised £5000 for their cause - I reckon depending on the size of the wish there could be one or numerous wishes secured!

I would also like to thank the officers of my year for all their support and putting up with my ‘perhaps at times’ direct approach to life and work, ‘bla bla bla, bla bla bla!!!’

Genuinely brethren, I discovered that going through the chair of our lodge was a further trail of discovery and not a simple ‘I’m in charge’. There is a totally different set of rules that you have to learn and follow but in doing so it gave to me a wonderful experience which was certainly not to be missed.

My advice for any impending master is the usual one—enjoy from the moment you have been made the Master Elect as the time evaporates in no time…

I now look forward to providing Paul all the assistance he may need and generally assist the Lodge in any way I can...

Richard.

Copy of entry to be displayed in the Essex Mason later in the year

ALBERT LUCKING ‘FIXED IT!!’

W/Bro Richard Bedini during his year as master of the Albert Lucking Lodge 2717 chose to support the Starlight Charity. Starlight is an organisation that fulfils wishes for children suffering from a terminal or life threatening illness. The charity is very similar to those who remember the long running television program ‘Jim’ll Fix It’.

Richard was very pleased to present Jo Castleton from the Starlight a cheque for £5092.20 (don’t forget the 20p) which was gratefully received. Jo added icing on the cake by informing Richard that the money would immediately benefit 3 children with wishes ranging from a trip to Disney Paris, a swim with the dolphins and a photo shoot with sisters and friends.

In the inimitable words of Jimmy Savill ‘Albert Lucking Fixed It for them’.

Text Box: The above provides an overview of the presentation but, at the time Jo gave a more detailed account of those wishes described – Samuel is the young lad who wants to go to Disneyland Paris and insists that they must stay in the Davy Crochet Hotel!! He is 6 and has severe epilepsy. Felicia is 11 and suffering from bone cancer and has wished for swimming with the dolphins and Rebecca aged 15 with a brain tumour has asked for the photo shoot with her sisters and friends. It hi-lighted to those present the diversity of the wishes which may not always be extravagant, costly, glitzy or at the end of a long haul flight. Another aspect of Starlight is that the child is accompanied by their family. This avoids any possible stress for the child in being escorted by someone they do not know but more importantly giving the family that precious time to be together as a family. I along with Jayne, Stuart & Sheila, Clem, Bill & Sid all enjoyed a pleasant 45 minutes and if they were anything like me, went away feeling warm and elated knowing and seeing our money playing a major part in these children’s lives. Click here and go to the Starlight website and read more about this marvellous organisation.