Devonshire
Daily living costs, Support for Freemasons and families
Mark’s story
After Mark’s company went into administration unexpectedly, he found himself working on a basic salary just to stay in employment.
Soon after, his son Adam was born with a serious heart defect, adding significant pressure to the family’s finances.
“Adam spent 42 days of the first three months of his life in hospital. I was constantly back and forth between home and the hospital, trying to be there for Adam and my wife while maintaining some sense of normality for my daughter, Aimee.
“First, I used up my paternity leave, then my holiday, then I went unpaid. On top of that, it’s really expensive to live in hospital. Between parking, petrol, eating… the nurses would tell us to get a coffee, but we’d be worried about how to pay for it!
The MCF provided grants that covered hospital expenses, as well as summer and Christmas holiday grants.
“The support we received from the MCF lifted a huge weight from our shoulders at a very stressful time. They have taken the pressure off during expensive times of year like Christmas and the summer holidays, and have meant that we can focus on Adam’s health and the happiness of both our children during a worrying time for us all.”
