CHILDREN who are treated for cancer at the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital are set to enjoy a variety of new toys for their outdoor play area thanks to a £1,000 donation from the St George’s Masonic Lodge in Exeter.

The donation has been made by the Lodge in memory of Jennie Wortham who spent six years under the care of the Paediatric Oncology Team on Bramble Ward before she died of neuroblastoma in November 1997.

As past Master of St George’s Lodge, Jennie’s father David decided that he would like to support the RD and E’s Paeditatric Onoclogy Fund as his lodge’s chosen charity for 2016/17.

David, a partner with Wortham Jaques, chartered accountants, of Crediton, said: “As last year’s Master I was asked to choose one of the charities supported by the Lodge and it didn’t take me long to come up with this one. We were delighted to be able to help further the development of the wonderful work of this unit that my family and I experienced first-hand.”

The Paediatric Oncology Team plan to use the Lodge’s generous donation to purchase a selection of toys and a new storage facility for their outside play area, which is used frequently by oncology patients and their families.

Louise Taylor, CLIC Sargent Clinical Nurse Specialist, said: “This donation will make such a big difference for our patients. These new toys can be used in their own outside space with their families and siblings. This will be a lovely tribute to Jennie who is fondly remembered here.”

David added: “I think the team’s plan for this donation is ideally suited to the memory of Jennie.

"Jennie’s mum Maggie, her brother Richard and I spent a lot of time with her in her hospital room when she was having treatment, and so it’s nice to think that our donation will help other families going through a similar experience.”

The Exeter St Georges Lodge, which is 255 years-old, makes donations to local non-masonic charities every year on St George’s Day, April 23.

Alan Quick