Rutland bereavement support projects given £4,400 donation by Uppingham masons

Projects which aim to improve end-of-life care and support the bereaved have been given more than £4,000.

Uppingham in Rutland Masonic Lodge 9119 has donated £4,400 to Dying Matters Rutland to pass on to its partners Rutland Bereavement Help Point and the Loss Project.

The Loss Project’s share will go to its The Release programme, led by Carly Aldridge, which uses boxing to help come through grief.

Dying Matters Rutland is dedicated to improving end-of-life experiences for the dying and their loved ones, and is led by the Lord Lieutenant of Rutland, Dr Sarah Furness.

The charity was set up to help people find information about the resources available to them, and works with partners in The Bereavement Help Point, Rutland’s Great Dementia Conversation, The Rutland Snowdrop Award and The Loss Project.

Rutland farmer Andrew Brown was this month elected as its new chairman after the retirement of Jennifer Fenelon who established Dying Matters more than four years ago.

“It is so important that we try to inform people and families of every support available to them in the latter stages of their lives,” said Coun Brown, who is also chairman of Rutland County Council and a former High Sheriff of Rutland.

“The one great certainty in life is still a taboo subject for many and I would like to think that Dying Matters Rutland can go some way to removing that stigma and giving the best information on support and care for families in difficult circumstances.”