The West Wight Masonic Lodge have made a donation of £800, with an additional anonymous donation of £200, towards a charity haven for young cancer patients undergoing treatment away from home.
The lodge are lending their support to CLIC Sargent, the UK’s leading cancer charity for children and young people, who are currently transforming a former B&B in Southampton into a new ‘Home from Home’, providing vital free accommodation for families to be near their child during cancer treatment. The new home, called Jean’s House nearby specialist Southampton Hospital, will provide a lifeline for many families from the Isle of Wight far away from home.
The new home will have seven en-suite family bedrooms (sleeping up to 4 people), 2 open plan kitchen/diners, 2 lounges and a teenagers’ space, helping families spend more time together and avoid often debilitating travel and accommodation costs. Jean’s House will replace the charity’s existing Home from Home at CLIC Haven which opened in the grounds of Southampton Hospital in 1991 and has supported thousands of families. In 2017/18 there were 113 family stays for an average length of 3 weeks. Jean’s House has been specially designed to be bigger and better than before, offering more space and comfort for families
Bro. George Davies from the West Wight Lodge said:
“I know personally the difference CLIC Sargent makes to families on the island and we were very pleased to support such a worthy appeal. The new Home from Home will help many local families who are miles away from home being treated at Southampton Hospital.”
The charity has launched a fundraising appeal to cover the £1.6million for buying and fully adapting the building. Over £1.2million pounds has already been raised thanks to generous support from donors including: Children with Cancer UK, Signet and Sir Jules Thorne Charitable Trust and now CLIC Sargent are seeking to raise the remaining £400,000 to fully renovate and furnish the house.
Liz Blunt, CLIC Sargent Fundraising and Engagement Manager for the Isle of Wight, said:
“We really appreciate the generosity of the Freemasons for their very kind donation of £800 for a home that will support families from the island. I hope that other local people are inspired to help us house even more families in desperate need, saving them hundreds of pounds and bringing crucial home comforts in a time of great turmoil.”
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For more information and how to donate go to www.clicsargent.org.uk/movinghomesouthampton.
