Joseph puts the pedal to the metal in Rainbow Ward

Have you ever had the chance to drive a Bentley or top of the range Lexus? No? Well neither have I but, as you can see from the photograph, Joseph has!

How did this all come about?

Our Provincial Grand Master, in conversation with friends, found out that in the Rainbow (Children’s) Ward at Scarborough hospital there were brackets to hold television sets but nothing on them.

Enquiries disclosed that, whilst TV sets would be good, monitors, play stations and trolleys to move them would be much, much better so the gauntlet was down to buy them!

It did not take long for two Lodges, Leopold and St John of Bridlington, to agree to work together to buy the items and apply for assistance from FCYNER, all of which led to being able to provide Nintendo play stations, games, TV Monitors wheeled trollies etc.

In discussions with the hospital charity’s fundraiser, Maya Liversidge, an even more exciting idea then came to light.

When children have to leave the ward to go for an X-ray or operation it can be a frightening experience which, in itself, is not good for a sick child.

To reduce that stress the children can now drive themselves by car and, on the basis that only the best is good enough for the two Lodges and our Province, further funds were raised to purchase a Bentley and a Lexus.

Not only did FCYNER view the application favourably but the “icing was put on the cake” when MCF added another £504!

This will be used to lay an outside circuit in a protected area where the children can go to drive the cars and enjoy some fresh air.

On Friday 31st March several members of both Lodges were welcomed into the ward, chatted with Maya and some of the nurses and Joseph really enjoyed himself demonstrating.

From what I saw I think that, when he reaches seventeen, he will pass his driving test at the first attempt.