Loughton Freemasons give £500 to search and rescue charity
Volunteer charity bringing skills and experience to rescue people from disaster areas throughout the world
Luxborough Lodge No. 4700, which meets four times a year at Loughton Masonic Hall, recently commemorated the first anniversary of the devastating earthquake in Turkey and Syria in February 2023 with a £500 donation to ‘Serve On’ the search and rescue charity providing humanitarian crisis response at home and abroad.
When lodge secretary, Chris Oliver, recently had some building work done he met Steve Evans, who was undertaking some of the work. It turned out they were both Freemasons and Steve mentioned he is also a volunteer with ‘Serve On,’ which initially used ex-service personnel to rescue people from disasters worldwide. As ‘Serve On’ evolved, it has seen a growth in non-service volunteers from all walks of life who undergo extensive training using ex-military facilities in the Salisbury area. The volunteers are then sent out to disaster areas to use their training, skills and experience to rescue people.
In February 2023, Steve and other ‘Serve On’ volunteers went to Turkey, taking a significant amount of equipment with them and had to live in the most arduous conditions. As with each rescue operation, the equipment is typically left behind being of enormous value for essential use to the local population, such as tents, water purification, cooking, first aid, power generation, etc. but they always bring back their search dogs, Teg and Storm.
As well as international response, UK operations include supporting DEFRA with qualified water and flood rescue. As a charity, ‘Serve On’ needs donations to fund the training and equipment. In Turkey, the cost of equipment left to help the local population suffering from the earthquake cost £30,000.
Chris Oliver said, “The Luxborough Lodge Freemasons appreciate that in addition to helping in disaster areas, ‘Serve On’ is both a national asset and a great advertisement for Britain. In creating a sense of purpose for their volunteers, its success is based upon very professional training and team bonding, and we were happy to help by donating.”
Whether participating in events, fundraising for a charitable cause or volunteering for public or community organisations, such as Steve Evans of ‘Serve On,’ Freemasonry’s members make valuable contributions by donating time, resources and skills. As well as volunteering, in 2023 around 8,000 Essex Masons donated £1.34 million pounds to charities and local good causes.
Photos
Top (L-R): Luxborough Lodge donating to Serve On: Chris Oliver, Joe Day (Worshipful Master), Steve Evans, Joe Shearer (Assistant Provincial Grand Master), Peter Jones, (Lodge Director of Ceremonies).
Left: A new search begins.
Right: Digging for survivors.
