Let's call our man George.

Amongst other things George needed a new hearing aid. Through the efforts of the District Officer (who had originally planned to make an application to the Charity sponsored by Lodge Idris) guiding him through the claim and getting the support of the local G.P., ACC provided not one but two hearing aids.

George seemed to have everything going against him, he had no friends as he and his wife had lived for each other.

He was in poor health, deeply grieving for the recent loss of his wife, and in real financial trouble.

The District Benevolence Officer was able to sort out George's financial woes, arrange for a district nurse to visit him daily, get a shower in his bathroom, home aid to clean his house weekly. George has required specialist treatment for his many ailments and has supervision for his medications.

Then George's dog died, if he had not had an opportunity to travel probably that would have broken his heart completely.

But now George had money to travel and the challenge was to get him to the UK before Christmas.

Renewal of a passport expired twenty years ago, tickets and all the usual arrangements involved in travel.

What an exciting couple of days !

George has returned to New Zealand a new man, he is still ill and needs care and help, but he laughs now and can chat about anything. He tells Graeme he is no longer lonely as he has all the Freemasons in New Zealand who care about him. He had no hope in his life and now he says to everyone that the Freemasons have changed his life.

In a letter to VW Bro Cedric Cole (Southern Division Grand

Almoner) Graeme writes:

...."I have gone on at length about this matter mainly I suppose because of the satisfaction I have received from the man, but also to suggest that the big charity items are grand and spectacular but how much do they really change a George?

We will never get newspaper coverage for our "Georges" but to see a man change so much because of the teachings of Freemasonry, is worth every effort that we can give.

I thank you for your support in this matter on my behalf as well as George's. He is incapable of expressing his thanks. You all have changed an old man's life for the better....."


From W Bro Graeme Cleland Canterbury District Benevolence Officer