April 2022 Update from Provincial Grand Charity Steward

Festival 2023

We have now reached £1,425, 321.00 as at the 8^th of April statement. Thank you all for your continued support. We have 13 months to go and £500,000.00 to reach target. Brethren, every penny helps

Masonic Charitable Foundation (This is where your money goes)

Ukraine

Brethren, we live in uncertain times. The humanitarian crises in Ukraine is not going away and the MCF donated £50,000.00 to the British Red Cross. All of this money goes to humanitarian aid. The MCF set up a donations page and so far, the Freemasons in England and Wales have donated in excess of £535,000.00. This is what our organisation is all about. This has now been donated to 5 charities each receiving £100,000.00 each

Hospice Grants for Berkshire 2021 to 2022

Alexander Devine Children’s Hospice Service £1,000

Royal Trinity Hospice £1,815

Thames Hospice £2,315

Grants to charities in Berkshire since April 2021

Home Start West Berkshire – £10,000.00 0ver 2 years

Elizabeth House in Cookham – £15,000.00 over 3 years

The Woodlands Trust or Camp Mowhawk – £15,000.00 over 3 years.

Hot off the press the MCF small grants team have just awarded £15,000.00 over 3 years to another Berkshire charity “Parenting Special Children”

Berkshire in the round from the MCF

The MCF build better lives by encouraging opportunity, promoting independence and improving wellbeing for Freemasons and their families. Every year, we support thousands of Freemasons and their family members through millions of pounds in grants and support services.

These are the grants the MCF have awarded so far during our current financial year, which started on 1 April 2021.

28 Freemason or Families have received grants totaling£81,144.00 plus £60,469.00 to help cover living costs. In addition to this Berkshire has received £18,284.00 to support health and wellbeing, £2,392.00 to support the education of children, while 6 people have accessed the free counselling service

Berkshire Masonic Charity (BMC)

I will report on the latest grants in the May Edition

Regards

Gerry Preston PAGDC

Provincial Grand Charity Stewards