Date of release: 17th June 2025
New walking aids thanks to donation
A patient and his fellow Freemasons have donated four new walking aids and specialist equipment to Wolverhampton Physiotherapists as a thank you for the exceptional care he received.
John Hancox, from Tettenhall, had his leg amputated four inches below his knee after developing gangrene due to having Deep Vein Thrombosis and Type 2 diabetes.
The 86-year-old then received rehabilitation at the Maltings Mobility Centre run by The Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust (RWT).
He said: “A couple of years ago my foot just got worse and worse and eventually I had to have it amputated.
“When I came out of hospital I had no quality of life but that all changed when I was given a prosthetic leg and had rehabilitation at the Maltings.
“It has given me my life back. I can go to Lodge meetings again and also get out and about. Louise, the physiotherapist, deserves a medal. She is a fantastic person who was patient and kind. She gave me the confidence to get back out there again. I will be forever grateful.
“Whilst attending for rehabilitation I found out staff would like to buy a few additional pieces of equipment, for the use of the patients, and as a thank you for the wonderful care I received I arranged this (with a value of up to £200) from Lodge charity funds.”
Dormston Lodge, which meets in Codsall, regularly supports both local and national charities, from funds donated by the brethren.
Louise Tisdale, Clinical Specialist Physiotherapist at RWT, said: “We are so grateful for this donation.
“These are items that are not readily available from local equipment stores – they are useful for us to trial patients with to assess if a special order is needed to supply them or they might choose to buy them themselves.
“Thank you very much to the John and the Freemasons – we are very grateful.”
Malcom Jarvis of Dormston Lodge said: “One of the pillars on which Freemasonry stands is Charity, and every mason should have an open heart to the needs of others who find themselves in distress or need of assistance, and regularly give to Lodge Charity Funds.
“The United Grand Lodge of England, through its charitable fund, the Masonic Charitable Foundation is one of the largest charitable organisations in the country after the National Lottery.
“The Lodge members wish all of the staff at the Maltings all the best for the future and hope that this additional equipment will assist their patients to make a speedy recovery.”
Amie Rogers, Fundraising and Lead Digital Engagement Officer for RWT Charity, said: “We are incredibly grateful for this generous donation. The Freemasons’ kindness and support make a real difference to patients and the community we serve, and we cannot thank them enough for your compassion.”