Published: 06 March 2024

Penybont Lodge of Freemasons held a successful fundraising event in aid of an all-Wales charity.

The lodge members contributed prizes for the raffles being held after the proceedings of a meeting. The ticket sales and other donations went exclusively to support the Wales Air Ambulance Charity and raised a fantastic £600.

The Master of the Lodge, W.Bro. Lee K. Page, fully supported the decision to raise funds for the cause.

He said: “Supporting this cause is so important as the Wales Air Ambulance Charity is funded by the people of Wales. I know that the Charity operates the most advanced air ambulances in the UK, saving precious time and, ultimately, lives.

“My wife, Liane, and I thought it vitally important to provide financial support as it relies entirely on charitable donations to raise £11.2 million annually to keep the helicopters in the air and rapid response vehicles on the road across Wales.”

Wales Air Ambulance is consultant-led, taking hospital-standard treatments to the patient and, if required, transferring them directly to the most appropriate hospital for their illness or injury. For the patient, this can mean hours saved when compared to standard care and is proven to greatly improve survival and early recovery. 

It is delivered via a unique Third Sector and Public Sector partnership. The Emergency Medical Retrieval and Transfer Service (EMRTS) supplies highly skilled NHS consultants and critical care practitioners who work on board the Charity’s vehicles.  

Bill Wilson, the Charity Steward of the Penybont Lodge No. 6743, also recognised the need to support the work of the charity. He said: “This charity is on standby 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. They provide essential medical support across Wales whenever and wherever they are needed often in challenging circumstances. The donation made through our fundraising supports individuals and families in getting rapid critical care.”

Barbara Williams, Wales Air Ambulance’s volunteer said: “It was an honour for me to attend the presentation at the Penybont Masonic Lodge and we are truly grateful for the support they have shown our charity. Their generous donation will help to keep our helicopters in the air and our rapid response vehicles on the road across Wales. Thank you so much to all those involved, you’ve raised an incredible £600. Thank you for supporting our cause, it is really appreciated.”

Also present at the recent presentation was Byron F. Butler, he said: “I am delighted to see the lodge support this cause as it provides essential first response care to those in urban and rural parts of Wales and illustrates how Freemasonry supports the whole community.”