At their September 2026 meeting, Dalton-in-Furness Lodge No 6828 along with its mother lodge Baldwin Lodge No 1398, demonstrated their commitment to high-profile charitable giving to local good causes and endeavours.
Prior to the meeting, 16 brethren attended a brief training session led by William Morley, founder of the Morleys Defibrillator Charity, on the use of a newly installed defibrillator. This potentially life-saving session was warmly received.
William founded the charity following the tragic loss of his son, Billy, and in the lodge room he gave a moving account of the circumstances of the tragedy. The charity has installed more than 100 defibrillators across Cumbria to help prevent similar tragedies. One defibrillator has now been supplied and fitted to the exterior of every Masonic building in the Province of Cumberland and Westmorland for the use of anyone who needs it.
The ‘cross-border co-operation’ stems from a very active accord between Dalton-in-Furness Lodge and Lodge of Friendship No 8275 at Cleator Moor, in Cumberland and Westmorland, with regular visits taking place between the two. As Lodge of Friendship counts amongst its members William Morley, it seemed an easy step to continue the excellent work started in memory of his son Billy.
A total of £1,500 was raised for the defibrillator through generous donations from the Furness and South Lakeland Group, the group boxing committee, Dalton-in-Furness Lodge, Baldwin Lodge and the Baldwin Hall committee. The illuminated cabinet is installed outside the Masonic building on Slater Street, just off Market Street, Dalton’s main thoroughfare. The defibrillator is available to local residents 24 hours a day.
A collection during the lodge meeting and a raffle afterwards raised £300 for the charity. This was gratefully received by William Morley and will help the charity to continue its very welcome and essential work.