ST MARY'S Hospice have staff celebrated the receipt of a £5,000 grant from the local lodge of national masonic organisation.

Staff and volunteers received the grant from the the Province of West Lancashire, part of the Mark Master Masons, which was wholly funded by its charity, the Mark Benevolent Fund.

The donation, is part of a major capital grant of £1.3m to over 250 hospices in England, Wales, Channel Islands and Isle of Man, recognising the contribution made by HRH The Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh to the service of the Crown and the life of the nation.

Alison Alger of St Mary’s Hospice said: "St Mary’s Hospice is extremely grateful for the wonderful support we have received from The Mark Master Masons of The Province West Lancashire.

"The grants we have been so generously awarded will support the care at our In- Patient Unit Ulverston and our Living Well Centre in Barrow in Furness.

"The past 18months have been difficult for everyone but especially for those living with advancing illness and their families.

"This kindness will make a real difference to the care we offer, supporting the work of our creative therapists as we re-start out Living Well Programmes and enabling us to purchase much needed new bedroom furniture for our In-Patient Unit.

"We cannot thank you enough for the difference you will make in honour of HRH The Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh”.

Keith Beardmore, the Provincial Grand Master for The Mark Province of West Lancashire said: "We are absolutely delighted that the members of the Province have chosen to support St Mary’s Hospice.

"We are all aware of the toll that the pandemic has taken on charities across the country and hope that this donation will go some way to help enhance patient care and provide improved facilities for those in need and their families.”