CORNWALL'S Freemasons have donated cash to help children using hospice care.

The Provincial Grand Lodge of Cornwall has pledged £1,000 to the charity Lifelites, which donates assistive technology for life-limited and disabled children using hospice care services.

Lifelites and the Freemasons of Cornwall said they were particularly aware that the Covid-19 pandemic has left many people feeling overwhelmed by the sudden change of routine and isolation.

Lifelites donates and maintains assistive and inclusive technology for the 10,000 life-limited and disabled children using every one of the 60 children’s hospice service across the British Isles.

This technology gives these children the opportunity to play, be creative, communicate and control something for themselves, for as long as it is possible.

Little Harbour in St Austell is one of the hospices that has been receiving assistive technology from Lifelites since it opened.

A spokesperson for Little Harbour said: “The Lifelites donated assistive technology provides children with the opportunity to control certain aspects of their life by making choices and having a say. Children will be able to develop social experiences through gaming, maintain links with their peers and their family.

"The technology package Lifelites donates enables them to communicate and establish new. The assistive technologies help to maintain normality, when they may otherwise experience loneliness or isolation or lack of control.

"It is a crucial assistant in maintaining communication in preparation of end of life situations and to aid relaxation and the perception of control in a very challenging situation.”

Provincial Grand Master of Cornwall, Stephen Pearn, said: “It is an honour for us to enable Lifelites to continue providing assistive technology for life-limited and disabled children. We know that the children’s hospices, the children they care for, and their families are going through a very difficult time right now.

"With our donation, we want to help reduce the burden, so that these children can escape the confines of their conditions, and connect with their families in ways not possible before.”

Lifelites chief executive, Simone Enefer-Doy, added: “With the very generous donation from the Cornwall Freemasons, we can give life-limited and disabled children using hospice care in Cornwall assistive technology so they can play with their brothers and sisters and tell their parents they love them, sometimes for the first time.

"It’s wonderful to see that these technologies can have a tremendous impact in the lives of these children. It really does give those with limited lives unlimited possibilities.

"This is only possible thanks to our supporters, such as the Provincial Grand Lodge of Cornwall.”