Following an approach to Rob Dickinson and Peter Harrison of Auckland Lodge No 596, a £500 grant has been awarded to Bishop Auckland Hospital Paediatric Ophthalmic Dept for a beautiful mural to be produced to entertain and distract children undergoing tests for eye defects. Instead of a sterile wall, children can now follow the play antics of cartoon-like characters in a vividly colourful setting.
Pictured at the formal presentation are Trevor Lynn (Assistant Provincial Grand Master) and Roy Neville (Provincial Charity Steward) representing the Province of Durham Mark Benevolent Fund, Rob Dickinson of Auckland Lodge, Health Care Assistants Hannah Brown and John Bainbridge, Nurse Specialist Dawn Nosair and receiving the cheque, Specialist Optometrist Mark Dearing. Also in attendance were Pat Chambers from the Trust and W Bro Peter Harrison, who on this occasion was responsible for some excellent camera work.
In his address Roy commented that this occasion was particularly appropriate as we approach our Centenary Year with our stated mission of supporting children and young people and added that we were taken aback by the quality and impact of the mural. He also wished to place on record his thanks to our various IT experts who had assisted in building into the mural the logo of the Province of Durham Mark Degree which was unobtrusive but nevertheless eye-catching.