Communication Equipment for James Grundy 16th March 2012
 

James is a 9 year old young man who has cerebral palsy and suffers severe disabilities, he attends a main stream school in Southport where he lives with his parents. Whilst at school, he has his own personal teacher, who is with him every hour of every day. He enjoys this schooling as he is in daily contact with his classmates who in turn encourage James immensely and keep him occupied in learning  activities.

   
Through various school departments it was suggested that James may benefit from a Dynavox Communication Computer which is operated by touch and sound.  Accordingly a 4 week trial of the equipment was duly arranged through school to ensure suitability. James took the Computer home each weekend so that his family could assist him with his learning and they were amazed how much his communicative skills improved in a very short space of time. Both his teachers and his parents were convinced that equipment of this sort would make a tremendous difference to James’s life, however there was a sting in the tale. Although the trial had been arranged via the Education Authority they were reluctant to assist in the purchase on two counts:
   

Picture 1 left to right – Alan Jones (Provincial Grand Charity Steward), James Grundy with Tracy (Mum) behind, Peter Connolly (Prov Grand Master), Alan Rawcliffe (James’s Granddad), Brian Molyneux (Special Representative), Brian Skinner (Deputy Charity Group leader)
   
  1. The expenditure (approx £6000) would only benefit one individual
  2. The equipment would be used on a 24 hour seven day week basis and not just at school

Even if the above could have been resolved funding would have taken at least twelve months and probably considerably longer.

This being the case the family decided to try and raise funds to allow the purchase of the equipment themselves and James’s Grandfather, W.Bro Alan Rawcliffe who is a Mark Mater Mason of Lathom Mark Lodge approached W.Bro. Brian Molyneux the Special Representative for the area to ask if he thought that the West Lancashire Mark Charities Fund would be able to help.
   

Picture 2 Left to right –James Grundy, Peter Connolly, Alan Rawcliffe (presenting a donation of £2,500 to West Lancashire Mark Charity Fund) with Lynne Connolly and Tracy Grundy in background.
   

Brian in turn contacted W.Bro Alan Jones the Provincial Grand Charity Steward and lo and behold the ball was rolling. Following various conversations between Alan, The Provincial Grand Master, other Members of the Charity Executive and the Family approval was granted and it was decided that for James to gain maximum benefit, the equipment should be purchased quickly such that it would be available for James’s use before the end of the four week trial period – which was accordingly done. 

The photographs show the equipment being presented to James and his family by The Provincial Grand Master, also in attendance at the presentation were: W.Bro. Brian Molyneux (Special Representative), W.Bro Alan Jones (Provincial Grand Charity Steward), W.Bro. Brian Skinner (Deputy Charity Group Leader).
   

Picture 3 Left to right – Peter Connolly (Provincial Grand Master), James Grundy, Alan Jones (Provincial Grand Charity Steward), Tracy Grundy James’s Mum)
   

 W.Bro Alan Rawcliffe then completed what had been a thoroughly rewarding presentation by doing one of his own. He presented a cheque to value of £2,500 to the Provincial Grand Master as a donation to West Lancashire Mark Charities Fund on behalf of himself and James’s family in grateful thanks for the support received.
 
Article and Photographs courtesy of Alan Jones Update story 18th May 2012
   
Update James School Reports Update Letter from James 13th June 2014