The photograph show Peter and Scott, with Margarita Vidiella, Head of Charity and Volunteers, and Nathan Ahwieh, Fundraising & Engagement Coordinator.
W.Bro. Peter Wise is a character well known in both West & East Kent, as well as other Provinces from Cornwall to Northumberland! For some years he has been the “go-to guy” for super-cheap second-hand regalia, and has raised over £100,000 for Festivals and other good causes, from the Gurkhas to the Thanet Disabled Riding Centre in Broadstairs.
In October, returning from holiday, Peter contracted a mystery infection in his foot requiring 7 weeks of hospitalisation, with multiple surgeries, in Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Woolwich (QEH) and St Thomas’s London, and is still undergoing outpatient treatment. During this time, Peter realised that a great many of the delays in getting treatment result from a shortage of Portering Chairs, not the Porters themselves!
In February, he started an appeal, in conjunction with sales of second-hand regalia, to raise money to buy some of these Chairs. He contacted many of his friends in Kent, and from their generosity, raised £10,000 in just 8 weeks, to purchase TWENTY new Portering Chairs for QEH.
W.Bro. Scott Dunn, in his position as Provincial Grand Supreme Ruler for Kent in the Order of the Secret Monitor, and his current Chairs in Kent Mark and Knights Templar, was responsible for the funding of 7 of these chairs. It was therefore appropriate that he accompany Peter, on 29th April, to present the cheque to the Lewisham & Greenwich NHS Trust Charity at QEH.
Peter’s appeal is continuing, in order to supply at least one more major hospital in Kent with new chairs, and is happy to receive nominations, as well as donations!
The pictured chair is a smaller version of the chairs on order, but this is one Scott found abandoned outside the hospital! That’s why there is a shortage!
