Ed: Some of the more senior in age Brethren within the Province will no doubt remember the song by Max Bygraves in 1958, You Need Hands. Regrettably, I am one of them. However, moving forward to current times some of the sentiments expressed in that song remain true today - You need hands to hold someone you care for, you need hands to show that you're sincere… Indeed, the Charity HANDS based in Twickenham provides a much need facility for those who could do with a little help and for someone to care for them. The acronym HANDS stands for Help a Neighbour in Distress. It is then very apt that this Charity should be one close to the heart of one particular Masonic Lodge in the Province which meets at Cole Court.

Richmond Hill Lodge No 6698, having been given the grant from the Middlesex Province Relief Fund (MPRF) agreed that the £500 should be donated to a local charity. W. Bro Grant Baird proposed that HANDS, based in Twickenham, would be a worthwhile recipient. This was unanimously agreed by the members of the Lodge. So, on Wednesday 14^th December, having received the funds from the MPRF, W. Bro Graham Cooley, Lodge Charity Steward along W. Bro Grant and W. Bro Robert McLintock presented a cheque to Mrs Jean Hunter the Chairperson based at their office in Twickenham.

Volunteers who work for the Charity act as good neighbours, providing voluntary support for those in need in Twickenham and St Margaret's, especially older people and those who are isolated and housebound. Their aim is to improve quality of life and help maintain cherished independence. This can include shopping, doing small household jobs, befriending and accompanying people on organised trips.

This is a wonderful gesture and Richmond Lodge have chosen a worthy recipient to receive the MPRF grant of £500.

See also: hands care group