At the recent Gala Dinner and fund-raising event a cheque for £25,000 was presented to the Neuro Muscular Centre on behalf of the Cheshire Freemasons' Charity. This centre is based in Winsford and support those in need from across the whole of Cheshire, the Wirral and beyond. The donation will enable the centre to purchase specialised equipment including 2 x Thera Trainer Bikes (which will be used in the Neuromuscular Gym) and 27 pairs of specialist orthotics gloves, which give a range of positive outcomes. The benefit of using orthosis may be the difference between an individual being able to 'drive' a wheelchair independently or not. Funds will also be used to purchase powered wheelchairs.
Matthew Lanham, The Neuromuscular Centre's Chief Executive said: "I want to say a huge thank you to the Cheshire Freemasons as well as the South Cheshire Masonic Golf Society who organised the event. The bikes we will now purchase will make a life changing difference to so many. People with muscular dystrophy have very little muscle strength but still need to exercise to stay healthy. This donation will make that possible for hundreds of people."
Matthew went on to also thank the SCMGS for some other specialist orthotic equipment to enable people with muscular dystrophy to keep on using their hands and fingers to do everyday tasks for longer.'
On the night, which was in memory of Chester Freemasons Gil Auckland, one of the driving forces behind the success of the society's charity fund raising, a wheelchair was donated to Lee Herbert. Lee, who receives treatment at the Winsford Centre was thrilled to receive the modern and sophisticated powered wheelchair saying: "I am very, very grateful to the SCMGS for my new power wheelchair. It has changed my life for the better and helps me loads with my daily life. I can get out more and really enjoy life! I'm so appreciative of your kind generosity."
The South Cheshire Masonic Golf Society was originally formed by golfing Masons from Upton and Chester Golf Clubs, their prime aim was to raise funds for good causes in Cheshire. However, after some years it was decided to support the Peter Alliss Wheelchair Appeal. The South Cheshire Masonic Gold Society provided the Peter Alliss Appeal with donations of many thousands of pounds during the years 1974 to 2016, resulting in the purchase of 55 powered wheelchairs for deserving recipients. In 2018 a slight shift to provide disability aids to a wider range of beneficiaries has been made by the society members, in this sense, they have selected the Neuro Muscular Dystrophy Centre in Winsford as a major recipient for 2018/19.