Loyal orders donate PPE to hospitals

With concerns growing over the shortage of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) on offer to frontline staff in the fight against coronavirus, Killyman’s loyal orders have stepped up to secure and donate items across the community in the matter of a few short weeks.

At the end of March, officers from both Killyman Orange District Lodge and Black District Chapter in Co Tyrone discussed the need for a coordinated response to help the NHS, local nursing homes and care providers access the PPE they needed.

The initial response for donations, to fund masks and gloves for local healthcare workers, was met with great enthusiasm.

It wasn’t long before the Brethren and Sir Knights of Killyman Orange and Black Districts were able to secure and source PPE which was delivered to a host of local hospitals including Craigavon Area Hospital and South Tyrone Hospital; local care homes such as Nightingale Care Home, Dungannon and Ashbrook Care Home, Coalisland and GP surgeries in the Dungannon area.

Speaking to the Local Democracy Reporting Service, the Worshipful District Master of Killyman Orange Lodge, Alastair Cardwell said it was a desire to do something useful that spurred on their efforts.

“We started off wondering what we could do,” he said.

“We have a lot of wives and partners working on the frontline and caring for those in the community.

“We knew they would need this equipment, so we diverted from our normal activities. We started out to raise money and source this vital equipment for our local frontline health workers.”

Over the past three weeks, Killyman Orange and Black Districts have maintained their efforts and have managed to raise a substantial amount as they try to ensure PPE is available for local frontline caregivers.

“Within the space of a couple of weeks we had received donations from private funders, lodges, preceptories, Apprentice Boys of Derry clubs and bands.” said Worshipful District Master of Killyman Royal Black District Chapter, Desmond Bloomer.

“This funding allowed us to secure a number of orders and we have liaised with a local safety supplier in order to secure significant orders of PPE that will help local frontline stuff do their jobs at this troubling time.

“We are also looking at ways to support the vulnerable within the community including our own membership. It is a situation which is continually evolving each day.

“At times like this it is important to remember we are all one people fighting one common enemy.”

Both District Masters expressed their sincere thanks to front line staff for keeping everyone safe and to everyone who has donated so far.

“We want to put on record our best thanks to those who have donated so far and those who are putting themselves at risk to tend to others,” they said.

“We will continue to try and play our small part and ensure we can source as much PPE as we can and give it to those in the local area who need it most.”

The Deputy Chair of Mid Ulster District Council, Councillor Clement Cuthbertson praised the loyal order’s efforts.

“I highly commend the work of Killyman District for the excellent effort they are putting in to help in this time of crisis,” he said.

“The loyal orders, with their network of private Lodges and Orange Halls across the area,  are ideally placed to get this much needed help into the local community and most importantly to where it is required the most.

“What Killyman District has done already in raising money and purchasing life saving PPE is fantastic.

“I am aware of other Districts across South Tyrone and Mid Ulster, in particular Fivemiletown and Annahoe Districts, who are also active in delivering food parcels and PPE.

“The community spirit in the Dungannon area I represent is second to none. community groups and other voluntary groups are really pulling together to help those in need.”

STH PPE Donation: Sir Knight and Brother Gary Black delivers some of the vital PPE secured by the Killyman loyal orders to the nurses at South Tyrone Hospital, Dungannon.

Adam Morton , Local Democracy Reporting Service