Mencap’s Green Fingers Receives Masonic Donation

The Easter holiday break-in of the woodworking shed at Mencap’s Green Fingers extensive site at the Elizabeth Road allotments in South Ham was well publicised when thieves got away with £5,000 worth of wood working tools and equipment.

Tim Knight, CEO of Green Fingers, explained, “Inflation has pushed equipment replacement costs above the insured value, but generous public donations of equipment and funds have provided strong support”.

The 105 years old Elvetham Masonic Lodge, that operates out of the Basingstoke Masonic Centre in Victoria Street at the Top of Town, has donated £500 to Green Fingers as part of its annual giving to local charities and good causes.

Making the presentation to Noelia Rico Cordera, the full-time manager of Green Fingers, Peter Foster, the lodge’s charity steward said, “The interest earned on the lodge’s investments allows Elvetham Lodge to financially support local needy causes. Overall, in Hampshire freemasons donate around £1 million each year and across the UK it reaches £50 million.”

Green Fingers, supports 40 adults each week with learning disabilities through horticultural and woodworking activities, has long relied on community goodwill.

The woodworking activities include the manufacture of bird tables, stools, troughs and garden ornaments are sold producing an income of around £4,000 each year.

The Green Fingers site is part of Mencap’s overall activities around Basingstoke that includes gardening in the community, one-to-one support and some leisure services.

Tim Knight says that with these activities Mencap reaches around 500 people each week but is concerned this is a small percentage of an estimated 4,000 people in Basingstoke, many of whom could benefit from their support services.