Boost for kidney stone research

A cheque for £1,250 was handed over to the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital this week to help fund research into the treatment of kidney stones.

The money was raised by the Mancroft Lodge of the Freemasons as part of a local charity campaign.

The current Master, Robin Watkeys, presented the cheque to Urology consultant Neil Burgess on behalf of the Lodge, explaining that he had suffered from kidney stones himself and any research that would improve treatment of this condition was very welcome. “Only people who have suffered from kidney stones themselves know how painful they can be,” said the retired VAT officer from Spixworth in Norwich.

Mr Burgess said the money would help support clinical research projects such as those that compare the relative benefits of minimal access surgery with other forms of kidney stone treatment.

“We have performed some useful research locally but now want to extend this to include patients from two or three other centres, both here and abroad. The money kindly donated by the Mancroft Lodge will help us in this regard,” he said.

The Lodge raised the money through a series of social events including a dinner dance and ten-pin bowling evenings.