Last week, Big Ted and I had the pleasure of visiting St. Helen & St. Giles Lodge No. 9133 at Upminster, where we witnessed a familiar face take the Chair once again.

W.Bro Bob Coombe, who previously served as Master in 2007 and again in 2024, was proclaimed Master for a third term — and, unsurprisingly, carried it off with great confidence and warmth!

I had originally attended to present the Lodge with a TLC Essex Patron Certificate, recognising their kind donation of £500 to the Appeal. But the evening took a wonderful turn when the brethren voted on the spot to increase their donation to £2,500 — a moment marked by the presentation of a very appropriately sized novelty cheque!

That remarkable gesture immediately elevated St. Helen & St. Giles to Silver Patron status, making them one of only nine Lodges in Essex to have achieved that milestone. Their donation will help us provide around 1,200 TLC Teddies — enough to keep a local Paediatric A&E Department stocked for approximately three months.

It was a deeply generous act, reflective of the Lodge’s commitment to making a real difference in the lives of children facing trauma and distress in hospital settings.

Thank you, brethren of St. Helen & St. Giles Lodge, for your outstanding support — and congratulations to W.Bro Bob on yet another successful year at the helm!