At the heart of Freemasonry lies a commitment to service — a quiet yet powerful dedication to making a positive impact in the lives of others. One such example of this principle in action is W. Bro. Nick Barry, a proud member of Norma Lodge No. 5902, who has been volunteering with Keech Hospice Care since 2018.
Keech Hospice, based in Bramingham, Luton, is a remarkable organisation that provides free, specialist end-of-life care for people of all ages. Their work extends across Bedfordshire, Hertfordshire, and Milton Keynes — caring for adults and supporting children with life-limiting conditions, whether at home, in the hospice, or wherever their care is most needed. Learn more about their work here.
A Brother in Service
Nick’s journey with Keech began on the road — volunteering on the charity’s vans, delivering fresh donations and collecting goods for redistribution among their 35 shops across the region. But in 2019, he transitioned to volunteering in his local Keech shop on Katherine Drive, LU5, where he continues to work two mornings a week.
His role is hands-on and varied: receiving and sorting donations, processing Gift Aid forms, pricing goods for sale, and ensuring items unsuitable for resale are recycled responsibly. He has even gone the extra mile — buying tools and replacement batteries so that donated watches can be repaired and resold, and saving broken timepieces by swapping usable parts.
Ever resourceful, Nick also scans books, CDs, and DVDs through an online portal to ensure maximum value is recovered before any items are passed on for recycling. Nothing goes to waste under his watchful eye.
Smiley Sam and the Spirit of Christmas
Each December, Nick joins fellow volunteers in operating “Smiley Sam” — a festive, LED-lit replica train that visits local supermarkets, playing Christmas tunes and raising funds through bucket collections. It’s a joyful tradition, and another way in which the Keech community comes together to raise vital funds.
Recognition of Service
In 2020, Keech Hospice Care and its dedicated team of over 1,000 volunteers were honoured with The Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service — the highest accolade given to volunteer groups in the UK. This prestigious recognition reflects the collective efforts of volunteers like Nick, whose quiet contributions make an enormous difference.
Nick is quick to clarify that this award is not an individual honour, but a shared one — a testament to the strength of the entire Keech volunteer community.
Living the Values of Freemasonry
Nick’s story is a shining example of how Masons can embody the values of charity, humility, and service beyond the Lodge room. His work is not done for praise or recognition, but simply because, in his own words, “it’s about making a difference when it matters most.”
As Freemasons, we are always encouraged to find opportunities to serve — not for reward, but because it is right. Nick Barry reminds us all that true charity is not only about financial giving, but also about the generous donation of time, effort, and heart.
Sincere thanks go to W. Bro. Nick Barry for sharing his story — and more importantly, for living the Masonic ideal in service to others.
Story by W Bro Peter Swatton, Communications Team
