Buckinghamshire Province are proud supporters and contributors to Bucks Carers and have been providing and distributing meals on wheels for Bucks Young Carers, who are aged from 7 to 16 and Pamper Packs for older carers in the family.

Consequently, W.Bro Martin Fifield was on the road (not in his now sorely missed Maz) delivering parcels this week in support of the program.

“Bucks Carers exists entirely to support and promote the wellbeing of family carers”, he said after falling into a chair at Berkhamsted Squash Club with a well-earned pint after his exertions.  “The organisation supports carers of all ages and in different caring roles, including young carers, parents of children with a physical or learning disability, older carers, carers from across the community and those looking after someone with a mental health condition”.

Martin has supported this particular branch of the Masonic Charities for the last 18 months. He continued,

“Can you imagine that at such a young age these young carers having to get their Mum or Dad out of bed, assist them to wash, dress and get their breakfast and all before school?

Imagine then the distress of Covid-19 and having to care for them all day long, making dinner, fetching and carrying for them, escorting them to the toilet and many other hygiene and wellbeing activities”.

“Freemasonry in the Community are working hard to reinforce that we are a force for good.

Bucks Masons, from the many Lodges in the Province, have been preparing meals and Pamper Packs whilst many others have been the delivery men throughout the lockdown.

Cestreham Lodge were pleased to be part of the initiative and were part of the excellent team making all this happen and I was delighted to help out”.

Here are photos and brief commentary of grateful recipients who received Pamper Packs

Our first recipient Fiona was absolutely over the moon.

“Nothing like this ever happens to me”, She said, quite tearfully, at receiving the Pamper Pack gift.

Her daughter has Bipolar and quite a story and long history of the issues and problems they have faced over the years and the detailed support she’s provided to her daughter.

Another grateful recipient Janine, whose father was a Mason in South Africa, so she knew a little about the good works the fraternity undertake in the community. She looks after her 96-year-old Mother, who can be seen in the background of the photo.

We also received this rather lovely text from Kim, who was out at the time of delivery so her Pamper Pack was left with a neighbour.

“Hi Martin, thank you for your text. I’ve collected the gift from the neighbours and want to say thank you very much to all of you at Bucks Freemason for all the wonderful pamper products. I am absolutely blown away by your kindness and generosity. Best wishes, Kim”.

Another delivery to a happy recipient was Joanna who looks after both her severely autistic son and her brother with Alzheimer’s.

The last drop of the day was to Anita who was also very grateful for her Pamper Pack.  

Anita works for Barnardo’s so was fully aware of the help and support the charity sector relies on donations.

Martin concluded, “it is wonderful to give in this manner and I am delighted to be able to support this outstanding Charitable initiative that is providing so much joy for the local community.

This is what freemasonry is all about.  Another day of deliveries is due this Friday the 24th July, so we look forward to perhaps helping in a small way to make a few more Carers in the Community’s day”.