Bomb disposal charity supported by Essex Freemasons

Military exercise ‘Felix Assault’ sharpens specialist skills in high pressure environments. Head of Essex Masons presents £1,600 to the Bomb Disposal charity Felix Fund.

Royal Marines and bomb disposal specialists from the Royal Logistic Corps (RLC) stormed Charing Cross and the disused tube station at Aldwych during exercise, ‘Felix Assault’.

Famous tourist attractions including The Aquarium on the South Bank and The London Dungeon were also targets. A Fleet Contingent Troop assaulted the Royal Albert Hall and after specialist room clearing, a team from 11 EOD & S Regt was tasked to neutralise two dummy IEDs.

“After two days of training the integration of the capabilities was well established between both forces.”  – Alex Candlin, Forces Net.

At the St Giles Masonic Centre, Paul Tarrant, Provincial Grand Master and Grand Superintendent of Essex Freemasons, presented cheques for £1,600 to Lt Col Matthew Middleditch MBE QGM, Ambassador of Felix Fund. Matt gave a presentation on the high-pressure situations and intense stress personnel face.

Felix Fund

Felix Fund supports serving personnel and veterans across the EOD and Search communities. This includes SO15 (Met Police Counter Terrorism Command). Matt Middleditch, Head of Unit, recounted several firsthand experiences involving EOD and Search duties during his 23 years of Army service. These included Northern Ireland, Iraq and Afghanistan. He gave comparisons of the differing mentality of the bombmakers he has had to contend with.

The money from the Freemasons will go towards Felix Fund delivering more mental wellbeing Dashboard training. This helps to combat the exceptional stress of those involved in EOD and Search. The Royal Arch Chapters presented £800 to Felix Fund attending the combined meeting, hosted by Pyefleet Chapter No. 8913. The Province of Essex match-funded to make £1,600.

“Every Essex Freemason has the highest respect for the courage of those protecting others from terrorist bomb threats.” – Paul Tarrant, Provincial Grand Lodge of Essex.

Felix Fund would like to express our sincere thanks to the Freemasons for this support.