Fleetwood's community Covid relief efforts given huge Freemasons boost

Fleetwood Together, the umbrella group coordinating the huge effort to help residents, has received the items , contained in 190 bags, from the North Fylde Group of Freemasons.

The huge collection was handed over at the Cleveleys Masonic Hall, on West Drive, on Friday.

Sue Warburton, lead coordinator for Fleetwood Together, said: "We're really grateful for this generous donation by the Freemasons.

"We need this because at the moment we are sending out about 400 emergency parcels a week which benefit around 900 people."

And Chris Rumley, of Fleetwood Together, added: "What makes it different from earlier in the year is that some of the people we are helping were not struggling back then, they had jobs.

"But there are a number of people who have lost jobs since then, and they are struggling too."

David Randerson, Assistant Provincial Grand Master for the Fremasons, said: "The items here have been donated by members of the North Fylde Group and their families, as well as members of the community.

"In addition we have presented a donation of £2,000 for Fleetwood Together to buy more provisions, and our members are doing a similar thing in other North West areas too."

Each bag contained essentials such as non-perishable food, sanitary items and toothbrushes and will help people from Fleetwood as well as Thornton, Cleveleys, Poulton and Over Wyre

Fleetwood Together was launched when the already existing food relief efforts of Fleetwood Food Bank, coordinated through Stv Wulstan's RC Church, joined forces with the Mustard Seed group based at St Peter's CE Church and a youth project at West View Community Centre during the first lockdown.

Since then the whole community in the town has joined the effort, including Fleetwood’s Rotary, Freemasons and Lions groups, Fleetwood Town Council, Fleetwood Town Community Trust, the RNLI, the town’s schools, with various individuals and local businesses providing financial support.

While some recipients who are able to leave the house are collecting their parcels at designated times from The Pantry, a new amenity recently opened in the former Fleetwood Hospital building, many of the parcels are being sent out via Fleetwood Together's main distribution hub at the Marine Hall.

During the presentation a huge 'thankyou' banner, made by regular recipients of the parcels, was unfurled and presented to the Freemasons.