New care home minibus is silver lining to cloud of Freemasons’ Lodge closure

Lincolnshire Freemasons have helped to provide the York care home with a new minibus.

Barrie Graham, Neill Smith, and Chairman Chris Turner of the of the Association of Friends of Connaught Court handed the keys to Marina Aydinalp, the manager of the care home, operated by the Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution.

Money for the new bus was provided by Freemasons of the Lodge of Prince Frederick 307 in Hebden Bridge, who had closed the lodge and sold its building, sharing the funds amongst a number of good causes.

Barrie said: “We are immensely grateful to the Brethren of the Lodge of Prince Frederick  307 who have used the proceeds from the sale of the lodge building to fund various projects, this being just one.”

The brand new minibus features specialist access and seating, which will make a huge difference to Connaught Court residents.  Marinda said: “This new minibus will enhance our ability to take residents out for day drips and shorter trips locally. Our old minibus needed a driver with a special licence, but this one can be driven by any of the home’s staff with a car driving licence. With tbe ramp and pulley we will be able to take less mobile residents out too, as the minibus will allow two wheelchair users to be safely transported alongside the more mobile residents.

“We are so very grateful to the Friends of Connaught Court and the Lodge of Prince Frederick for their donation allowing us to purchase this new minibus.” Connaught Court is used by Freemasons and members of the public from Yorkshire and Lincolnshire. The Association of Friends works to provide funds to make sure the quality of residents’ lives is enhanced.