Cancer battle inspires Masons

The story of a woman’s battle with cancer has led to Banbridge Masonic Lodge Union Band 336 raising £1,000 to help the fight the disease.
By The Newsroom
Published 13th Mar 2014, 08:02 BST
OVARIAN CANCER DONATION UNION BAND MASONIC LODGE 336, In 2013 members of Union Band Masonic Lodge 336, Banbridge attended a meeting of the Provincial Grand Lodge of Down held in Belfast. During this meeting Right Worshipful Brother Barry Brewster spoke to all of the Masons present. He described how his wife Denise had suffered Ovarian Cancer, and although she had fought hard against the disease her fight had ended. It was a truly emotional speech, and one which got the attention of the Worshipful Master, Senior Warden and Treasurer of Union Band Lodge, Banbridge. Barry Brewster explained that he felt he wanted to try and help those women, who were suffering from this horrible disease, furthermore he wanted too to help those conducting far reaching search into treatments and possible cures for this cancer. His idea was to have every member of the Masonic order in our province to donate £1 per month. At that time he was not aware of the response he was about to receive from the Masonic Order. In November 2013OVARIAN CANCER DONATION UNION BAND MASONIC LODGE 336, In 2013 members of Union Band Masonic Lodge 336, Banbridge attended a meeting of the Provincial Grand Lodge of Down held in Belfast. During this meeting Right Worshipful Brother Barry Brewster spoke to all of the Masons present. He described how his wife Denise had suffered Ovarian Cancer, and although she had fought hard against the disease her fight had ended. It was a truly emotional speech, and one which got the attention of the Worshipful Master, Senior Warden and Treasurer of Union Band Lodge, Banbridge. Barry Brewster explained that he felt he wanted to try and help those women, who were suffering from this horrible disease, furthermore he wanted too to help those conducting far reaching search into treatments and possible cures for this cancer. His idea was to have every member of the Masonic order in our province to donate £1 per month. At that time he was not aware of the response he was about to receive from the Masonic Order. In November 2013
OVARIAN CANCER DONATION UNION BAND MASONIC LODGE 336, In 2013 members of Union Band Masonic Lodge 336, Banbridge attended a meeting of the Provincial Grand Lodge of Down held in Belfast. During this meeting Right Worshipful Brother Barry Brewster spoke to all of the Masons present. He described how his wife Denise had suffered Ovarian Cancer, and although she had fought hard against the disease her fight had ended. It was a truly emotional speech, and one which got the attention of the Worshipful Master, Senior Warden and Treasurer of Union Band Lodge, Banbridge. Barry Brewster explained that he felt he wanted to try and help those women, who were suffering from this horrible disease, furthermore he wanted too to help those conducting far reaching search into treatments and possible cures for this cancer. His idea was to have every member of the Masonic order in our province to donate £1 per month. At that time he was not aware of the response he was about to receive from the Masonic Order. In November 2013

The lodge raised the money at a gala event in November and it was recently presented to the charity Ovarian Cancer Research.

It came after Right Worshipful Brother Barry Brewster at the Provincial Grand Lodge of Down meeting, spoke of his wife’s battle with ovarian cancer. It was decided that members of Union Band Masonic Lodge 336, would hold a Gala or Ladies Night in the Coach Inn Banbridge. An excellent night was had by all present who enjoyed a champagne reception, three course meal and a live band and entertainment from the ‘Hootenannys’.

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On that night every member of Union Band Lodge donated prizes for a raffle, everything from Clinique beauty products to bottles of fine wines and spirits.

At an event attended by just over 100 people the lodge raised £1,000 for Ovarian Cancer.

In February 2014 at the Provincial Grand Lodge of Down Installation meeting held in the La Mon Hotel, a presentation was made to Dr Price from Ovarian Cancer Research. Right Worshipful Brother Barry Brewster, assisted by the Provincial Grand Master, on behalf of the Provincial Grand Lodge of Down, presented him with a cheque for £34,382.

The Worshipful Master, Officers and Brethren of Union Band 336 would like to express their thanks and gratitude to all those who attended their Gala / Ladies Night in November 2013 and assisted in helping to raise this grand total for donation.

They would also like to thank the Coach Inn Banbridge for providing an excellent venue and service.