A Barrhead organisation has donated £2,000 to a good cause which is on a mission to increase the number of public access defibrillators (PAD) across East Renfrewshire.
The Provost's Community Defibrillator Fund was set up last year to allow donations towards the purchase of equipment, maintenance and training in skills such as CPR and using the life-saving devices.
The Lodge Union and Crown No.307 presented a cheque for the fund to Provost Mary Montague at a civic dinner at their Cochrane Street base on Friday, March 8.
With personal experience of losing a family member following a cardiac arrest, the cause is very close to the Provost’s heart.
Provost Mary Montague said: "I was absolutely delighted to be presented with a cheque for the Provost's Community Defibrillator Fund by Lodge Union and Crown No.307 at their recent civic dinner.
"A defibrillator can save your life if you're in cardiac arrest so increasing the number of public access defibrillators which are available across East Renfrewshire is absolutely crucial.
"This cheque will enable another community defibrillator to be purchased and installed in Barrhead and will make a huge difference.
"My sincere thanks to Lodge Union and Crown No.307 for their support for the local community, for various charities and for this incredible fundraising achievement over such a short period of time."
Evans Reid, Past Master (PM) and the lodge’s secretary, added: “Provost Montague mentioned she had a defibrillator fund and at our recent bicentenary event we promised her £300.
“In the intervening five weeks between that meeting and the civic dinner, we managed to cobble together another 1700 pounds as she had mentioned at the original meeting that a defibrillator costs about £2000, so we presented her with a cheque for £2000.”
This year's civic dinner was held as part of the year of celebrations to commemorate the 200th anniversary of the lodge, the town's "oldest organisation".
Seventeen local organisations attended, including the 1st and 2nd Barrhead Boys’ Brigade, East Renfrewshire Foodbank and the Barrhead Rotary Club.
The occasion showed an appreciation of the work carried out by these organisations to better lives in the town.
The Right Worshipful Master Robert Dickson Scott welcomed the guests and gave a short explanation of the purpose of the bicentenary dinner and the reason for inviting the various organisations.
Following dinner, James Renfrew PM proposed the toast to the town of Barrhead which included historical information about the lodge and town.
Provost Montague replied to the toast and Bud Gauld also made a speech explaining to everyone about freemasonry throughout the world.
“It was a fabulous night,” said Evans.
“Everyone who attended it spoke favourably about it.”
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