Date published: 17 March 2015 by Anna Jackson

The Freemasons’ Grand Charity, which supports nationwide charitable projects and services, has awarded Rainbow Trust Children’s Charity a grant of £35,000 to help the charity support more families with a terminally ill or life threatened child.

The cheque was presented at Freemasons Hall, Manchester, where WBro Chris Welton APGM met one of the families the charity supports to find out how Rainbow Trust makes a difference. He met three year old Zerina Whyte who was diagnosed with a rare blood cancer when she was just 18 months old. In 2013, the Whyte family (pictured above with Sean) were introduced to Sean, a Rainbow Trust Family Support Worker from the Manchester care team. Ever since, Sean has provided both emotional and practical support to the whole family in many different ways.

Sean plays with Zerina at the family home along with her two older brothers, Hazeeq and Aqeel to give mum some respite. When Zerina was unable to attend nursery, Sean would sit with her at home and do activities such as painting. He also spends time with Hazeeq and Aqeel, taking them on sibling days out. Emotional support for mum and dad is also an important part of Sean’s work with the family.

“We are delighted to have received such an incredible amount from The Freemasons’ Grand Charity and would like to thank them for their generous donation. We offer emotional and practical support to families when they need it most and this money will go towards funding a Family Support Worker in our Manchester team. Support like this will ultimately help us reach our aim that one day every family who needs our help has access to a Rainbow Trust carer.” Emma Haines, marketing and fundraising director at Rainbow Trust

Rainbow Trust Children’s Charity provides expert social palliative care to families caring for a child with a life threatening or terminal illness. Each family has a dedicated Family Support Worker who is with them from diagnosis to cure or end-of-life care and bereavement, for as long as needed.

For more information on The Freemasons’ Grand Charity visit their website.