Freemasons provide new van for Hastings and Rother charity
St Michael's Hospice is celebrating the generous donation of a new Luton van from Sussex Masonic Charities, providing vital support to the Hospice's busy Retail Team.
The donated van is already playing an important role in helping the team transport donations across Hastings and Rother.
Sussex Masonic Charities also funded the vehicle's eye-catching branded livery, helping to raise awareness of the Hospice and the free care and support it provides to local people living with dying, death and loss.
The Hospice's retail operation includes seven charity shops, The Nook at the Hospice and a dedicated Donation Centre, as well as an eBay store. Income generated through retail helps fund the compassionate care provided by St Michael's Hospice, ensuring support remains available for free, to local families when they need it most.
In 2025/26, St Michael's Hospice supported 1,760 palliative patients living in Hastings and Rother, demonstrating the significant demand for its services across the community.
Rose Bedford, Head of Retail at St Michael's Hospice, said: “We are incredibly grateful to Sussex Masonic Charities for their generosity. The new van has made a tremendous difference to our Retail Team, allowing us to operate more efficiently and support the day-to-day running of our shops and Donation Centre.
“The branded livery is an added benefit, helping us increase awareness of the Hospice wherever the vehicle travels. Every donation of good quality, pre-loved items, helps generate vital income that enables us to continue supporting people to live well with dying, death and loss.”
Mike Harris, Chairman of Sussex Masonic Charities CIO said; “The Sussex Freemasons Community Charity are delighted they had the opportunity to donate the vehicle as a result of the very generous donations of our members throughout Sussex.
“Having seen the vehicle, it is pleasing to realise how important the van is for the effective and smooth running of the donations arm of the St Michael’s Hospice charity.”
For more information about the Hospice’s Retail shops and Donation Centre, or how to volunteer with the Retail Team, head to stmichaelshospice.com/retail or call the team on 01424 728728.