We are delighted to have received the following news article from David Kelly, Master of the Vale of Castiard Lodge in the Forest of Dean:
“As Master of the Vale of Castiard Lodge (7186) in the Forest of Dean, I chose as my charities for 2022-23 the Motor Neurone Disease Association (Gloucestershire Branch) and Forest Pulse.
Most people will be aware of the Motor Neurone Disease Association through the publicity around high profile sportsmen such as Doddie Weir, Rob Burrow and more recently the former Gloucester Rugby captain Ed Slater.
Sadly however, over the past couple of years, the awful impact of MND has come much closer to home with three of my friends being diagnosed with the condition and all at a comparatively young age.
It therefore gave me great pleasure to be able to present a cheque for £1,200 to Mr Graham Powell, Chair of the Gloucestershire MNDA who assured me that the donation would be put towards supporting the families of those living with MND in Gloucestershire.
My second charity, Forest Pulse is, as the name suggests, a charity based in the Forest of Dean which provides a range of out-of-school social, sport and recreational activities for disabled children and young people, up to the age of 25, giving them the opportunity to meet up with friends, have fun and learn alongside their non-disabled peers. Again, I was pleased to be able to present a cheque for £500 to the Charity Manager, Kim Roberts who said the money would be put to good use providing activities and equipment for the children.
I would like to thank the Brethren of the Vale of Castiard Lodge and all those who visited us during the year and attended our events, for their generous contributions to these two worthy charities.”
