Freemasons & Charity
£1000 for "Help for Heroes" Charity
At the installation meeting of the St Thomas Lodge No.6574, Province of Hampshire and Isle of Wight, one of the first duties of the newly installed Master, W.Bro Robbie Harbert, was to present a cheque for £1000 for the "Help for Heroes" charity. This was received on behalf of the PGM by the Group Representative and VGO of the Lodge, W. Bro Bob Collins PAGDC
Over £30 million has been donated to non-Masonic charities.
The Freemasons' Grand Charity is a grant-making charity, working on behalf of Freemasons in England, Wales and overseas districts. It was registered in 1981 and continues a commitment to charitable support that began nearly 300 years ago in the earliest days of organised Freemasonry.
All of the money distributed by The Freemasons' Grand Charity is provided by Freemasons and their families, mainly through an annual contribution made by individual Masons and fundraising 'Festivals' held each year in Provinces within England and Wales.
The Freemasons' Grand Charity supports:
• Freemasons and their dependants who are experiencing hardship (Masonic Relief Grants)
• Non-Masonic charities (national charities serving England and Wales and for emergency relief worldwide)
• Other Masonic charities
Grants to non-Masonic national charities are made to organisations working in five areas:
• Medical research
• Vulnerable people
• Youth opportunities
• Hospices
• Emergency grants for disaster relief
The Charity also operates the Relief Chest Scheme, helping Masonic organisations to manage their charitable activities efficiently.
In the year ended 30 November 2007, The Freemasons' Grand Charity gave grants totalling over: £5.7 million
Our grant-giving objectives
Through our grants, we aim to:
• Help Freemasons in distress and their dependants.
• Make a significant difference to people in the wider community in real need.
• Support issues of concern to Freemasons and their families.
• Maximise the positive impact achieved.
We pursue these aims by:
• Working closely with Provinces, Lodges and other Masonic charities.
• Building long-term relationships with the charities we support.
• Supporting activities on a national scale.