Mrs Sara Stokes-Jarvis

Being a Sussex Freemason I was made aware of the change of life accident which to Sara who fell down the stairs at home and damaged her spine. Sara used to work behind the bar at the Chichester Masonic Centre.

I introduced Lyn to Sara having both been in the same Spinal Unit in Salisbury Hospital. After 7 months I took Lyn to meet her friend Sara, where I hears all her news, which included her distress about losing the Power Chair that the hospital had lent her, as it would have to remain in the Hospital upon discharge and she would be using a standard chair. As she does not yet have full use of her fingers it would take her independence back many stages. On top of which she was just informed of her change in Marriage status, with her adult children living abroad with their own children settled, so she felt isolated and alone.

Something had to be done, so an approach was made to the head Freemasonry in Sussex, and he was pleased to help with a donation from his special fund of £3,000, then the Sussex Masonic Charities pledged a further £3,000 however the chair cost £9,000 not the £6,000 we had expected, so all the Freemasonry Lodges were asked to help find the balance which all happened in record breaking time, to pay for the chair that by this time Sara already had!

Then Havant Council found a purpose built studio apartment for her, but it was without flooring, so another campaign was run by the Lady Freemasons and they paid over £3,000 to have all the flooring completed, and finally Sara was discharged, in her Power Chair to her new home and future she could manage.