Cheque, Mate: A Grand Gesture for Marie Curie

At the General Chapter of Instruction held on 15th April, we were honoured to welcome Ian Copestake, Provincial Grand Master and Most Excellent Superintendent of the Province of Derbyshire, as President for the evening.

As is customary, the retiring collection was given to a charity chosen by the President. Ian nominated a cancer care hospice in the Birmingham area in memory of his late father, who was born and raised in Birmingham before moving to North Wales with the Royal Engineers during the 1940s.

While in Wales, Ian’s father met his future wife. After spending several years together in Birmingham, they returned to her home village, where Ian was subsequently born and raised.

The collection raised £346, which was generously increased to £600 by the Warwickshire Royal Arch Benevolent Fund.

On 14th July, Ian returned to Warwickshire to present the £600 cheque to the Marie Curie Hospice in Marsh Lane, Solihull. He was accompanied by Mark Phillips, Preceptor of the Grand Chapter of Instruction.

Ian and Mark presented the cheque to Harri Smith of the Marie Curie Fundraising Team. Harri expressed sincere appreciation for the donation and thanked the Freemasons of Warwickshire and Derbyshire for their generosity.

The presentation also marked a significant moment for Ian. Having announced earlier that day that he will retire in October, it became the first of the “last” official events of his tenure in those high offices.

We wish Ian every happiness for his forthcoming retirement.