Policeman who lost sight and suffered kidney failure finds new life in Colchester

Brotherhood – Paul Skiffington, The Worshipful Master of Pyefleet Lodge with Junior Deacon, Mark Ball (Image: Newsquest)

A FORMER police officer whose world was turned on its head after enduring the most horrific of years has found a new lease of life in Colchester.

Mark Ball, who dedicated 18 years to the Metropolitan Police, lost his career after suffering acute kidney failure and partially losing his eyesight in just 12 months.

After being side-swiped by his newfound condition, Mark’s mental health started to deteriorate and he found himself in a dark place, which also impacted his marriage.

Mark, who had to have a kidney and pancreas transplant and is diabetic, eventually decided to move from south London to Colchester to be closer to his parents.

Gazette:

He said: “I woke up one morning and couldn’t see – it was that quick. I felt in that year I had lost everything. I had lost my career, and very nearly my life.”

After moving his entire life to Colchester, Mark initially found himself socially cut-off and isolated, due to having no friends in the area.

He soon, however, found solace in a sense of brotherhood after contacting a friend in the Metropolitan Police who he knew was part of the Freemasons.

After reaching out to Essex Freemasons, Mark was introduced to Pyefleet Lodge, which meets at St Giles Masonic Centre in Colchester five times a year.

Following his initiation in September 2018, eight years after his conditions took hold, Mark felt his life begin again, after years of feeling at odds with himself.

He has now progressed to the office of Junior Deacon, one of the many steps on his journey to becoming the Worshipful Master of Pyefleet Lodge.

In a true show of support, The Essex Freemasons even used a grant to pay money towards a large monitor so Mark could view his computer more easily.

Mark has since also formed a breakfast club which meets up once a month in a local café for breakfast and a chat which is becoming increasingly popular.

“The guys in lodge helped me tremendously and it gave me great confidence in what I was doing,” said Mark.

“This was an enormous help and [I am] so grateful to the Provincial Grand Almoner and Pyefleet Lodge for helping me.”