Big Ted and I were recently honoured to visit Hockley Lodge No. 6204 at Rochford following their incredible £1,500 in donations to the TLC Essex Appeal this year—firmly earning them Bronze Patron status

We were warmly welcomed and treated to an excellent Third Degree ceremony for Bro. Matthew Cook, conducted with care and precision. The strong sense of fraternity and support in the room was clear from the outset.

At the Festive Board, Bro. Glen Pearson (Junior Warden) introduced us to the “Bingosupermarket Football Fundraising Scratch Card”, a fun initiative he’s brought into the Lodge to raise money for charitable causes. On the night, TLC Essex was chosen to receive half of the proceeds, with the other half going to the winner.

In an inspiring gesture of generosity, W.Bro Barry Lake, a visiting Brother from London, donated his winnings back to the Lodge, bringing the TLC share up to an additional £115, which was kindly presented to me after dinner.

We were also delighted to be joined by W.Bro John Bond, Founder and Trustee of TLC Essex, for this special evening.

Hockley Lodge’s generosity didn’t stop there. On the night they also donated:

• £500 to the Spotlight Radiotherapy Appeal

• £500 to the Hockley & Hawkwell Day Centre

• £100 each to the Royal British Legion, BBC Children in Need, and RNLI

A truly outstanding show of charity from a Lodge that lives up to the very best principles of Freemasonry.

Thank you, Hockley Lodge—you’re making a real difference, one teddy (and one scratch card!) at a time.