Following the very successful fourth annual Mersey Valley Group Ball held in April 2026 at the DCBL Stadium in Widnes, a quick calculation was made which showed that £3,000. was available to be donated to two charities previously highlighted as worthy causes.
The donations were sent via BACS to the charities very soon after the ball had taken place, thanks to a very efficient treasurer Kevin Morton. (Well done, Kevin). These funds were raised for charities and needed to be given to them sooner rather than later.
One was the Masonic Fishing Charity. There are a large number of Freemasons that are probably well aware of their purpose and the good work undertaken by the Masonic Fishing Charity in support of younger people with varying needs. There is to be a daylong event coming up in May 2026 and it is anticipated that some of our executive team will attend to see for themselves how the charity offers support. Please feel free to contact the charity to offer support of any kind via contact@mfcwestlancs.uk Suffice to say, this charity was chosen due to it being a Masonic charity that many brethren already support in different ways.
The second charity was chosen for two very good reasons. Firstly, it is a non-Masonic charity that works closely within the heart of the Mersey Valley Group area, offering support to breast cancer sufferers. Secondly, everybody is likely to be affected, in some way or another, by this dreadful affliction.
Breast Mates Cancer Support Group is a registered charity based in Prescot and has weekly meetings in Whiston. They offer practical and emotional support to those who have received both primary and secondary cancer diagnosis and who might require additional support. Whilst the administration is conducted in Prescot, weekly meetings are held in the Robert Foulkes Centre in Whiston. It is at these meeting that members will sit and chat, over tea and biscuits, about breast cancer and how it has affected them.
This warmth of friendship and camaraderie felt is palpable and all are given the opportunity to speak up or listen, to engage fully or just be present, to share fears and allay myths but mostly to know that support is available to them.
It is at these meetings that fundraising and events are discussed. Fundraising for charities is always a challenge but Breast Mates make every effort to engage whenever possible and their treasurer, Jackie Lucock, is always ready and willing to accept donations. Some of the events undertaken have included bingo, afternoon teas, evening get togethers at local restaurants, with all being self-funded, and staffing stalls at other local events to highlight the support they offer.
The support to members, besides the obvious discussions and emotional support, include weekends away, most recently to Whitby where some were fit enough to climb the 199 steps to the Church of St Mary and to view the Gothic Abbey, the inspiration for Bram Stoker’s ‘Dracula’. Regular dance classes are held to help with fitness and to build relationships and confidence. All in all, the charity is there to help individuals rebuild their lives and confidence following a very emotional and unwanted experience.
The Mersey Valley Group Vice Chairman John Gibbon, and Mersey Valley Group Charity Steward visited Breast Mates to confirm the donation and to wish Breast Mates well for their future. They were welcomed by Jackie Lucock, treasurer, Shelagh Hill, secretary and about 30 ladies who showed true enthusiasm for a most worthy charity. Please log on to their website at breastmates.org for further information.
People may feel that breast cancer is a female only affliction. It is not. Breast cancer can affect men, directly and indirectly, so do not be afraid to speak up; contact a professional and seek advice and support from wherever you can.
Steve McNee,
Mersey Valley Group Charity Steward.