Hampshire and Isle of Wight Freemasons have donated over £20,000 to 31 charities at a celebration evening at Farnborough Masonic Centre on 4th May
All the donations distributed to the charities had been raised from individual members of the area’s lodges. Of the many and varied methods of raising funds are raffles, special events and personal donations, all with the specific aim of distributing to local charities.
The evening was hosted by William Withers, the Assistant Provincial Grand Master of Hampshire and Isle of Wight. Dignitaries present included the local Aldershot Member of Parliament, Leo Docherty, together with the Mayor of Rushmoor, Sophia Choudhary, as well as Cllr Ken Muschamp, Cllr Charles Choudhary and Diane Bedford.
Representatives of the charities and other agencies gave interesting and inspirational talks about their own work and how donations are put to good use.
Amongst the 31 charities which received donations, were Phyllis Tuckwell, Lifelites, Guide Dogs for the Blind, Hampshire Air Ambulance, Stepping Stones, Limbcare, Henry Tyndale Community Special School and Veterans in Action.
William Withers said. 'This was a memorable and rewarding experience, with local and national charities coming together displaying such enthusiasm and in the process, making new friends. As Freemasons we believe in supporting our local communities in their functional activities and this event provided even more motivation for us to keep raising funds for such worthy causes.'
After the formal presentations had concluded, the attendees were invited to a buffet reception in the centre’s dining hall, where everyone had the opportunity to socialise and discuss many of the evening’s topics and recipients of the donations.
Lodge No | Lodge Name | Charity |
515 | Zetland | Farnham Assist, Stepping Stones |
723 | Panmure | Phyllis Tuckwell, Limb Care, Step by Step |
1331 | Aldershot Camp | The Salvation Army, Hampshire Air Ambulance, Fleet Army Cadet Force |
2475 | Border | Stepping Stones, Messy Arts |
2755 | Waller Rodwell Wright | Asthma UK |
4187 | Palma Virtuti | Veterans Charity, Hampshire Air Ambulance |
4919 | Earl of Malmesbury | Stepping Stones |
8385 | Anniversary | Beavers Church Crookham |
1971 | Aldershot Army & Navy | SAAFA, Parity |
2203 | Farnborough North camp | Alzheimer's Café |
4178 | Aldershot Royal Engineers | Veterans in Action |
4581 | Mercury | Phyllis Tuckwell, Lifelites, Dogs for Good |
5073 | Fugelmere | Cancer Relief UK, Diabetes UK |
6314 | Ferneberga | Boots on the Ground, Alzheimer's Café |
6664 | Semper Fidelis | Phyllis Tuckwell |
7154 | Loyalty | Step by Step |
7786 | More Majorum | Ehlers-Danlos Support UK |
7927 | Lodge of Hospitality | Phyllis Tuckwell |
8463 | Rose of Hampshire | Prostate Cancer |
8859 | Mid Wessex Installed Masters | TBC |
9107 | Yateley Lodge | Tommy's Charity |
9289 | Alder Tree | Brain Tumour Charity |
9336 | United Progress | Henry Tyndale School |
9393 | Pegasus | Airborne Security Forces |
9395 | Ashburn St John | Wessex Cancer Trust |
9732 | Chevalier de Fer | TBC |
9399 | HIOWMCL | Lifelites |