Monday evening Henllys Lodge delivered an excellent initiation ceremony for Brother Christopher Shepherd. The ceremony was attended by numerous visitors from around the Province of Monmouthshire including the Lodge mandated officer Worshipful Brother Derek Giddings. At the Festive Board, following the ceremony, the money raised from the raffle was donated to assist Worshipful Brother Gerwyn Evans son, Jacob participate in a trip to Lourdes with the charity HCPT. HCPT is a registered charity offering pilgrimage holidays, to Lourdes in the south of France, for disabled and disadvantaged people from around the UK and further afield. The letters “HCPT” stand for the Hosanna House and Children’s Pilgrimage Trust. Henllys Brethren donated a total of £1,050 towards Jacob’s HCPT trip.

Brother Christopher Shepherd (centre) with the Worshipful Master of Henllys Lodge, W. Bro. Jonathan Davies, on his right together with the officers of Henllys Lodge and visiting Brethren.

Worshipful Master Jonathan Davies presenting Worshipful Brother Gerwyn Evans with the proceeds of the raffle and a donation from W. Bro. Derek Giddings to assist with Jacob’s HCPT trip to Lourdes. The Lodge charity fund donated £500 towards the trip making the total donated £1,050.

Worshipful Master Jonathan Davies said “Tremendous support from the Henllys Brethren and visitors at the Lodge this evening.” W. Bro. Gerwyn was overcome with pride in receiving the donation from the Brethren.

W. Bro Gerwyn thanked the Lodge and the Brethren, saying, 

“Brethren. What you did for my boy last night left me still pinching myself this morning that it actually happened. He’s my stepson but brethren he is such a deserving cause, and I promise you that he will fully appreciate the extremely generous gift you bestowed on him last night. I can count on the fingers of one hand how many times I’ve been moved to tears at events in my life and yesterday evening certainly was one of them. Unfortunately it is left to me, due to his disabilities, to convey his heartfelt gratitude to you all. Another truly amazing act of kindness from the Brethren of Henllys Lodge. We truly have something very special. Let’s look forward to his photos of what will be a trip of a lifetime for him”