Tenby Lodge of Freemasons have donated £1,079 to the HOPE MS Therapy Centre for the purchase of a new therapy couch, enhancing the facility's ability to serve patients with multiple sclerosis and other conditions.

The centre located in Neyland which has been in operation for 40 years, is the only facility of it’s kind in West Wales and so receives patients requiring therapy from Pembrokeshire and beyond.

It provides vital physical therapy and oxygen therapy to sufferers of multiple sclerosis and a host of other physical conditions and injuries.

A Tenby Lodge member who is involved with the Parkinsons UK group that meet at Tiers Cross became aware of the need for a new therapy couch at the HOPE Centre as he occasionally takes sufferers of Parkinsons Disease to the Centre for helpful therapy.

He raised the topic at a Tenby Lodge meeting and it was quickly agreed to provide full funding for a new couch, which is electrically operated and allows assisted movement of patients directly from wheelchair to couch when necessary.

HOPE Chairman and lead therapist Simon Wright said: “Following the withdrawal of funding support in recent years it has become increasingly challenging to finance the purchase of new equipment, so we are reliant on organisations like Tenby Freemasons and can’t thank them enough for their generous donation.”

Tenby Lodge Charity Steward Steve Thurgood commented: “I’ve seen first hand the important treatment provided at the HOPE MS Centre and the welcome relief it brings to sufferers so we are delighted to make a contribution to this facility that offers a valuable service to the community.”

Pictured from left to right is Steve Thurgood, Tenby Lodge Master along with fellow Tenby Lodge of Freemason Damian Brown; with HOPE’s Simon Wright, and on the couch patient Mark about to receive therapy.