Hodford Manor Lodge

Image above shows Jess Gray handing a cheque to Dr Jo Holmes after leaving The Croft Child and Family Unit, watched by her mother, Hannah (front, right), grandfather Graham West (back left) and Rob Bode, Croft ward manager

As a result of being bullied at school over four months, 14-year-old Jess Gray arrived at The Croft Child and Family Unit in Cambridge, suffering from severe anxiety, in chronic pain and had to use a wheelchair. Six months on, she is bright, lively teenager with an infectious laugh and a fresh outlook on life and on the road to recovery. The 14-year-old’s transformation is so remarkable that her family, with the help of Cupressus Masonic Lodge have raised £1,700 which they have donated to The Croft Child and Family Unit.

Jess said: “It was the hardest six months of my life, but I’m incredibly grateful for the treatment I received the staff at The Croft are truly amazing and I hope this donation will improve the facilities and make it an even more amazing place than it already is.”

Dr Jo Holmes, Consultant at The Croft, said: “We are delighted with the progress made by Jess during her time with us and we all wish her every success for the future. We are very grateful for the donation that she and her family have made to the unit, and we will use the money to help other young people on their journey to recovery.”

Jess’s grandfather, Graham West, with the help of the brethren at London’s Cupressus Masonic Lodge No. 8260, of which he was Worshipful Master at the time, raised the £1,700.

The Croft treats patients together with their family members and is the only unit in the country where such an approach is taken. So, while Jess underwent counselling sessions and other psychological therapies during her time at The Croft, her mother, Hannah, also spent six months at the unit, taking part in group sessions with other parents whose children were also receiving treatment.

Hannah said: “The bullying at School was the trigger for her conversion disorder. It was devastating to see how much she changed, but that’s why we are so grateful I really can’t thank the staff at The Croft enough; they have given me my daughter back.”