Grand Master's Festival 2008 Charities
The total sum raised amounted to
€660,000 and was divided equally between the three charities below.
The LauraLynn House at the Children's Sunshine Home
in Sandyford
opened in October 2011.
Please visit their website at
www.lauralynn.ie
For further details of the charitable activities of the Grand Lodge of
Ireland please
click here.
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In 2008, there is deep concern in Irish society surrounding the
issue of suicide and particularly the level of youth suicide in
our country – it seems particularly baffling during a period of
peace and prosperity, that so many are in despair. This is one of
the difficult aspects of a complex subject – a tremendous amount
of research is ongoing worldwide to find out ways to reach out and
help those who feel that suicide is their only option. To tackle
suicide effectively we must work together as a society – stigma
surrounding issues of mental health, emotional distress and
suicidal thought prevents many people from seeking help. Talking
about how we actually feel is regarded with some suspicion – Who
hasn’t automatically replied ‘Grand’ when asked ‘How are you?’
No matter how we actually feel'.
International research does endorse one very effective way of
helping people experiencing emotional distress – talking about
feelings. It seems such a simple thing that some people are
surprised the solution is not more complicated – but for almost
90% of people experiencing emotional pain – talking about feelings
will alleviate the pressure they are feeling. That is the basis
of Samaritans emotional support service. For almost 40 years in
Ireland, Samaritans has been providing time and space for people
to explore their feelings, in complete confidence without fear of
being judged, 24 hours a day, every day. For many people,
confiding in a stranger is much easier, in a small country like
Ireland, the anonymity and confidentiality of Samaritans service
gives callers the confidence and trust in us that is so vital in
order to effectively talk about what is on your mind and find a
positive way forward.
Samaritans received over half a
million calls in 2006, 300,000 of these were what we describe as
‘dialogue contacts’ – conversations and contacts where Samaritans
volunteers were able to offer emotional support for people
experiencing distress or suicidal thoughts. Help-lines record
silent calls and hang ups as well as ‘dialogue contacts’, simply
because it can take a person several attempts before they feel
able to speak. Often, a caller can ring and say nothing, just
simply wanting the reassurance of knowing that someone is there
–and that they are not alone.
In 2008, Samaritans will continue
to offer emotional support via telephone, email and face to face,
via our branch network. We will also introduce emotional support
via text message – a service we anticipate will reach a huge
number of young people – in a way that they feel comfortable
communicating. This ongoing work is only possible through the
commitment of our volunteers and the support of organisations such
as the Masons. Samaritans are always there, so that no-one ever
needs to feel alone, - thank you for helping us be there.
Telephone Helpline: 1850 60 90 90 R.O.I
. 08457 90 90 90 N.I.
General Enquiries: 01 878 1833
E-mail Helpline:
jo@samaritans.org
Web: www.samaritans.org
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Northern Ireland Children’s Hospice is part of Northern Ireland
Hospice Care. It was established in 1998 to provide respite and
end of life care to life limited children and their families. As
the only children’s hospice service in Northern Ireland it
provides care across the province both in the children’s hospice
at Horizon House in Belfast and in the community, in the child’s
own home.
There are over 860 children with life-limiting
illnesses living in Northern Ireland. These children do not have
a life expectancy of longer than 18 years and they have very
special care needs. They may suffer from life-limiting
progressive illnesses such as Muscular Dystrophy or rare genetic
disorders such as Batten’s Disease, or life-threatening illnesses
such as cancer and heart disease. Such conditions require
substantial and in many cases full-time round the clock care, and
many of them will die before reaching adulthood. This puts an
enormous strain on family life, especially if more than one
sibling is ill. At times, families can feel overwhelmed by the
situation, both emotionally and physically.
The Children’s Hospice supports some of the
most vulnerable families in our community and last year Northern
Ireland Children’s Hospice helped 250 of these families by
providing respite and end-of-life care as well as friendship and
practical support both throughout the child’s illness and into
bereavement. We want to continue to help more families and make
this essential service even more accessible to those who need it
most.
It costs £1.8 million every year to keep our
services running so to the support of corporate partnerships are a
real lifeline to us. Attached is Caitlin’s story. You will
be helping us to provide this much needed care to families across
Northern Ireland. We greatly appreciate the
support of the Freemasons and we look forward to working with you
in 2008.
Telephone:
(028) 9077 7635
Web: http://www.nihospicecare.com/childrens_hospice
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Our youngest daughter Laura was born with a hole in her heart, and
having endured and survived six months and two serious operations
in Our Lady’s Hospital, went on to have a few relatively good
years, with the final surgery to come. Sadly when it did, Laura
did not survive and died on 31st August 1999, aged just
4. Lynn, on the other hand, had 13 years of perfect health until
she was diagnosed with Leukaemia, the day before her younger
sister passed away. Lynn died a year and eight months later,
having lost her difficult but courageous battle with her illness.
Eight and six years on, and we
never thought we’d have survived, but we have - so far. I can
only speak from my own perspective, and say that the awful raw
pain and emptiness does ease with time, but we miss our angels
every minute of every day, and always will. There are two choices
though – you survive or you don’t, and if you do, you learn to
live a different life because you must.
Through our sadness and loss has
come some good. Having spent many years in Our Lady’s Hospital,
we saw a need for respite for seriously and terminally ill
children, and especially for their parents and siblings, in
particular where 24 hour care is required. Also at the end,
Lynn’s greatest wish was to be able to die at home, and as that
may not have been possible for one reason or other, I remember
thinking after her death, there was no other choice here for
someone of her age. Thankfully in our case, Lynn got her wish and
had a lovely peaceful passing at home. But it highlighted the
need for choice. So, the LauraLynn Foundation was set up, and
through the kindness and generosity of so many, it continues to go
from strength to strength.

We have merged with The Children’s
Sunshine Home, who at present provide a wonderful service, with
limited resources. LauraLynn House and the new Hospice Project
there will provide not only Respite and Palliative Care for the
sick child, but as stated before, the respite and support and
choice for parents and siblings. Having visited Children’s
Hospice in England, Scotland & Belfast, it brought home the
importance of providing the same wonderful service here in
Southern Ireland.
On behalf of LauraLynn, I would
like to thank all in the Freemasons Society of Ireland for
choosing us as one of their charities of this year. The funds
raised will make a great difference to the overall Project, and
help bring us closer to our goal.
Jane McKenna - mother
Telephone: +353 (0) 1 8210 283
Web:
www.lauralynn.ie
E-mail:
info@lauralynn.ie |
Contact can be made with the Provincial Grand Lodge of
North Munster by e-mail to:
The Provincial Grand Lodge of North Munster

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