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£5,000 Emergency Grant For St Michael’s Hospice

Before the fire at St Michael's Hospice in St Leonards.

In the early hours of Saturday morning, twenty three residents of St Michael’s Hospice in St Leonards-On-Sea, Sussex, were evacuated following an explosion and fire. Three patients have since died following the evacuation, two of which were being treated for smoke inhalation.

The Freemasons’ Grand Charity has donated £5,000 to support the Hospice during this difficult time. Since 1987, St Michael’s has been part of the Grand Charity Hospice Scheme and has received over £84,000 in total. The emergency grant will help the Hospice’s recovery needs by funding emergency supplies such as blankets and food, the relocation of patients and repairs. The Province of Sussex, a long-time supporter of St Michael’s Hospice, has also indicated that it will be making an emergency grant to the cause.

St Michael’s Hospice

St Michael’s Hospice are an independent charity and all their services are given free so they are heavily dependent on the generosity of local individuals, companies, groups and trusts. With only 30% of our total funding coming from the Government in the form of various grants they still need to raise almost £5 million each year.

St Michael’s Hospice believe that, as well as expert medical care, it is just as important to care for a person’s practical, social, spiritual and emotional needs too. St Michael’s provide care, not only within the Hospice, but also in the community. Many of their patients are cared for at home with skilled nursing support or night sitting services. St Michael’s Hospice also offer a range of Day Services, providing supportive care and company. They offer an holistic approach to care, aiming to meet people’s individual needs.

£5,000 Emergency Grant For St Michael’s Hospice · News · The Freemasons’ Grand Charity

‘If my role didn’t exist, who would help these families?’ Funded by the Grand Charity

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‘If my role didn’t exist, who would help these families?’ Funded by the Grand Charity

My role is entirely funded by the Freemasons’ Grand Charity, which supports charities such as Kids, which have to seek out funding streams from different avenues. I really enjoy my job but obviously there are challenges – and one of the biggest is that the demand for our service is immense. With so many cutbacks there is no shortage of families who want our help. If we didn’t help them I don’t know who would. Some of the children on my caseload have emotional and behavioural difficulties and don’t attend school. Those who do have a low attendance rates or are at risk of fixed term or permanent exclusion from school or college. Once I start working with a family I often have to work hard to gain their trust; I have to persuade them to trust me. Some families may have experienced domestic violence, health problems, or family tensions and don’t know how to cope with very challenging behaviour. Sometimes explaining Kids’ remit to other professionals can take time and patience.

Burnham’s BARB receives £4,400 donation from Freemasons

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Burnham’s BARB receives £4,400 donation from Freemasons for inshore rescue boat

The inshore rescue boat operated by Burnham-On-Sea’s BARB Search & Rescue has been given a £4,400 upgrade thanks to a donation by a group of local fundraisers. The Freemasons have presented the funds towards the Burnham charity’s boat, which helped communities across Somerset in 2013 and 2014 during flooding. Jeff Body of Alfred Guthrum Lodge, based in Wedmore, has presented £3,400 to BARB and John Chinn has presented a further £1,000 from the Provence of Somerset Freemasons. “We are delighted to be helping BARB – they do a fantastic job and it’s good to know the funding will stay local and be put to good use immediately with the upgrade of this rescue boat,” said Jeff. “We saw how busy BARB was during the floods and wanted to help the charity with its work. It’s reassuring to know that the boat is here.” The boat has been upgraded with a more powerful engine, other improvements including a new steering console, and the funds will also help with training costs. BARB crewmembers are pictured thanking the group with the presentation of a certificate outside their seafront station in Burnham.

Yorkshire 3 Peaks Challenge

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Bro James Steele and Bro Robert Atkinson of Technical Lodge No. 5666 undertook and completed the Yorkshire Three Peaks Challenge on Saturday 13th June…

Freemasons funding 50% of London’s Air ambulance

Freemasons make air ambulance gift

Freemasons funding 50% of London’s air ambulance

An enormous 50% of the funding for London’s new air ambulance came from the secretive society of Freemasons, it has emerged.

A sum of £2m ($3.1m) has been offered to pay for a second helicopter in the capital’s sky by the Freemasons. London is the location of global Freemasonry’s headquarters – the imposing Freemasons’ Hall near Covent Garden, in the heart of the city. There are reportedly around 40,000 Freemasons in London and male-only members are united by a hushed code and arcane rituals for mutual advancement.

The society claims it is non-political. The air ambulance is not part of the NHS and so relies upon charity donations to operate. The Freemasons were hailed by the chief executive of the charity which operates the helicopter service. “We have now crossed the halfway mark for the Your London, Your Helicopter campaign, thank you to all those who have helped us get there,” said Graham Hodgkin.

Derbyshire Freemasons donate £10,000 to the Colin Bloomfield Melanoma Appeal

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THE Colin Bloomfield Melanoma Appeal has smashed its £45,000 target – only six weeks after being launched. The appeal was started in February by BBC Radio Derby presenter Colin, who is currently battling stage-four melanoma, to help educate children in Derbyshire and East Staffordshire about how to stay safe in the sun. And after successfully reaching its target, the campaign – which is being supported by the Derby Telegraph – is now aiming to reach £75,000. The original plan was to provide 100 schools in Derbyshire with information and sun cream dispensers to help protect and inform primary-age pupils about the dangers of UV radiation from the sun.

And the most recent £10,000, taking the appeal to £45,000, was donated by the Derbyshire Freemasons.

Stephen Williams, provincial communications manager for Derbyshire Freemasons, said: “Derbyshire Freemasons, and freemasons in general, have a long history of charitable giving to worthy causes and many of the 3,000-strong Freemasons in Derbyshire give up their time and money to charity and the community.

“Freemasons in general through the United Grand Lodge of England (UGLE) have strong links to research into medical issues and in particular with cancer, and Alzheimer’s, and regularly provide large sums from central funds.

“Derbyshire Freemasons look to provide help in local worthy causes and the Colin Bloomfield appeal is very appropriate.”

Colin Bloomfield, 33, said: “This is fantastic news. It’s an incredibly generous donation from the Derbyshire Freemasons.

“I want to thank everybody for all the money they’ve raised.

“Every donation means an awful lot to me and now we can protect a whole future generation from the risks of skin cancer.”

100 years of the Sykes Lodge

Driffield freemasons

100 years of the Sykes Lodge

The 150 year anniversary of Freemasonry in Driffield was celebrated by holding a special rededication service in the Masonic Hall, Lockwood Street, Driffield, hosted by the Worshipful Master and Brethren of Driffield’s Sykes’ Lodge. More than 120 Freemasons gathered to mark the auspicious occasion, which was presided over by the Right Worshipful Jeffrey Gillyon, Provincial Grand Master in and over the Province of Yorkshire, North and East Riding. ADVERTISING He was accompanied by his team of Provincial Officers, and more than 90 local freemasons and their guests from the surrounding counties. Sykes’ Lodge was formed in 1864 and held its inaugural meeting in the Bell Hotel, Market Place, Driffield.

Chesil Lodge Freemasons support cancer patients at Dorset County Hospital

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Chesil Lodge Freemasons support cancer patients at Dorset County Hospital

Andrea Pering is grateful for the outstanding and skilled care she received from the staff of Fortuneswell Ward at Dorset County Hospital two years ago. Andrea and her husband Ray wanted to give something back to the team who cared for her. So, when Ray became Master of Chesil Lodge Freemasons he was able to nominate Fortuneswell Cancer Trust as his charity of the year. Ray Pering said: “I simply couldn’t fault any of the staff, nor the treatment. Many people suffer from cancer – family and friends of patients too – all receive excellent care at Dorchester Hospital. It is second to none. So, I decided on the Fortuneswell Cancer Trust, which supports local patients in hospital and which does such a tip top job.” The Chesil Lodge of Freemasons is based in Victoria Square at Portland. It raised £1,300 from raffles and events during Ray’s time as Master, which comes to an end on Wednesday 1st April.


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