On Thursday 13th November 2008 the St Giles Lodge of Instruction presented a cheque for £250 to the Nottinghamshire Police Aid Convoys honorary treasurer Bro. Peter Barratt, the Senior Warden of Edwalton Lodge 8214.

Bro. Peter – an ex-policeman, has been the treasurer of the charity since 2005 and was delighted with the surprise donation.

The Police Aid Convoys boast seven Brethren amongst it’s ranks and celebrated it’s 15th year of operation this year. It commenced its work amongst the refugee camps in the former Yugoslavia in 1993 but now services schools and community projects in Albania, Zambia, Bulgaria and Sierra Leone.

All monetary donations are spent on the charity work and the members give of their own time and pay their own expenses to sustain it. All the warehousing and the tons of goods are supplied free of charge but the cost of transport remains the controlling factor (at 2008 prices it costs £3,000 to send a lorry to Albania and £5,000 to send a container to Zambia) and any support, legacies or donations to relieve the burden of fund-raising are appreciated.

Bro Peter is forever hopeful that a Lodge will fund a lorry one day, and put their name to it, or send a member with it!

It is truly a multifaceted humanitarian endeavour that reflects Masonic aims of brotherly love, relief and truth across international boundaries.

The charity always welcomes new members (who do not have to be connected to the police!) and allows other people – particularly youngsters - to travel with them on their expeditions. www.npac.org.uk