Farnham Freemasons donate welfare boxes to Surrey hospitals

The boxes were full of refreshment goodies and delivered to hospitals around the county

Freemasons in Farnham have donated welfare gift boxes to NHS staff in hospitals around Surrey to thank them for their efforts during the pandemic.

The donation included 40 boxes to Frimley Park Hospital, 22 to the Royal Surrey County Hospital, four to Farnham Hospital and one each to the Tongham and Guildford Ambulance Stations.

The idea came about as a way to celebrate the NHS’s 73rd birthday which was on Monday, July 5.

Sandy Lowry, events fundraising manager at the Royal Surrey County Hospital, said: “The NHS birthday celebrations are always a special time to be able to thank our staff, but this year has taken on a new meaning with the incredible hard work and tireless dedication that all the NHS staff have shown over the last eighteen months, under such extreme pressure.

“We are so incredibly proud of our Royal Surrey family so, to be able to provide them with these generously donated treats, is extra special. We thank Surrey Freemasons so much for supporting this.

“We have far exceeded our wishes with regards to the number of staff we have been able to provide for. We have distributed around 100 boxes and bags and covered approximately 3,000 staff members at Royal Surrey Hospital, Milford, Haslemere and Cranleigh Community Hospitals.”

The Freemasons produced and delivered the welfare gift boxes which were full of refreshment goodies to each of the wards at Surrey’s hospitals.

Keith Hanks, hospital and events fundraising officer at Frimley Park Hospital, said: “It was my pleasure to visit all of our wards and key medical areas and hand out the boxes. The staff, as you can imagine, were so excited and grateful.

“What impressed them most was the tea and coffee that will keep them going for weeks ahead, rather than just for the day.”