Earlier this month, two Essex Lodges—The Lodge of XV No. 9944 and The Cricket Lodge of Essex No. 10009—came together to host a fantastic Joint Ladies Festival, full of celebration, fellowship, and charitable giving.

As part of the evening’s festivities, a 25” TLC Teddy was put up for auction to raise funds for the TLC Essex Appeal. This cuddly ambassador of our cause stole the show, and bidding was both lively and generous.

A huge thank you goes to W.Bro Gary Duce, who made an incredibly kind and heartfelt gesture by winning the bear with a staggering bid of £500. His generosity will go directly towards helping us supply more TLC bears to A&E departments across Essex—bringing comfort and calm to children during their most difficult moments.

Events like these are a wonderful reminder of how Freemasonry, fun, and fundraising can go hand-in-hand to make a real difference in our communities. We are truly grateful to The Lodge of XV and The Cricket Lodge of Essex for including the Appeal in their celebrations and for helping to raise awareness (and vital funds) in such an enjoyable setting.

To W.Bro Gary Duce—we hope Big Ted is settling in well to his new home, and thank you once again for your incredible support.