watch video stories of some of the freemasons and families
TRANSCRIPT
Registered charity number 1164703. A company limited by guarantee, registered in England and Wales number 09751836.
The Masonic Charitable Foundation builds better lives by enabling opportunity, advancing healthcare and education and promoting independence for Freemasons, their families and the wider community.
For Freemasons, for families, for everyone
60 Great Queen Street | London | WC2B 5AZ Tel: 020 3146 3333 | [email protected]
For updates about the Essex 2022 Festival visit our website:
www.essexfreemasons.org
Watch video stories of some of the Freemasons and families the Masonic Charitable Foundation has helped on YouTube now.
masonic_charity
The honorifics to celebrate and acknowledge financial
achievements are as follows:
(Including Gift Aid where applicable)
Individual Honorifics
£500 £1,000 £1,500
Grand PatronPatron
Steward/ Vice Patron
Lodge Honorifics
£200 £400 £600
Grand PatronPatronVice
Patron
Honorifics
For Freemasons, for families, for everyonewww.mcf.org.uk
Essex 2022 Festival Appeal
I am delighted to advise you that Essex is the first Province to launch a Festival Appeal in support of the new Masonic Charitable Foundation. The Essex 2022 Festival Appeal – which officially started on 1 September – will, I hope, raise in excess of £5 million for this excellent charity over the next five years.
Essex Masons have a proud record of charitable giving, donating more than £1 million every year to hundreds of different charities and I feel sure than once again they will generously respond to this new challenge.
Although a relatively new charitable organisation, the Foundation – as illustrated in other pages of this booklet – is already making its presence felt in Essex with grants to dozens of local charities and support for Freemasons and their families. You can be sure than your money will be well used.
In this booklet you will also learn more about the aims and objectives of the Foundation along with ways that you as individual members and Lodges and Chapters can help support and donate.
As individuals you can qualify for the new Festival Jewel by taking out a Regular Payment Promise and I urge you to do this.
As well as contributing to your personal honorific, the money you give will also be counted against your Lodge or Chapter total. When you do this, please tick the Gift Aid box to further boost your donation.
Your Lodge and Chapter targets are based on your membership levels starting from 1 September 2016. Once again, the details you need are contained in this booklet. If you are in any doubt please discuss with your Charity Steward who will have the information you need.
Essex Masons have demonstrated that fundraising can be fun and I continue to be amazed by the innovative ways in which we raise money across the Province. I hope that these kinds of events will continue but I am also aware that the success of Essex Festival 2022 will also be very much down to the individual efforts of all our members, giving what they can and when they can. I warmly thank you in advance for your continued support.
The journey begins here and I am confident that, with your support, our Festival 2022 will be a massive success.
RW Bro Rodney L Bass Provincial Grand Master
For Freemasons, for families, for everyone
On completion of this form your donations will go directly into the Provincial Festival Relief Chest no. Both you and your Lodge will be attributed the donation towards your individual and Lodge Honorifics.
Become a Festival Steward
Any Freemason can qualify as a Steward and Vice Patron of the 2022 Festival by donating or promising to donate a minimum of £500 including Gift Aid where applicable towards the Appeal. Over five years, £500 equates to a regular contribution of just 27 pence per day, £1.92 per week or just over £8 per month.
If circumstances permit, you can also become a Patron by donating £1,000 plus Gift Aid or a Grand Patron by donating £1,500 plus Gift Aid.
Complete the form included in this brochure to become a Festival Steward now. You can also set up a direct debit or make a single donation online by visiting www.mcf.org.uk/donate or you can visit www.mcf.org.uk/essex2022 to find out more about fundraising.
Use Gift Aid envelopes
The Masonic Charitable Foundation can supply Gift Aid envelopes for alms collections, festive boards and other occasions; use of the envelopes will boost eligible donations by 25%.
Organise a fundraising event
Fundraising and sponsored events can raise vital funds. Previous activities have included long-distance cycle rides and marathons, quiz nights and world record attempts.
To create a personalised fundraising page, visit www.mcf.org.uk/essex2022
Leave a legacy
By remembering the Foundation in your will, you can make a lasting difference to the lives of those in need of support.
Stay up-to-date
Promote the festival
The Foundation can supply promotional materials, posters and banner stands for use at Masonic centres and fundraising or social events. They can also arrange for a speaker to attend Lodge meetings or other appropriate events to speak about the work of the charity. It is also a good idea to share the Foundation’s Tweets and Facebook posts regularly to ensure as many people as possible are aware of the work they do and the 2022 Festival Appeal.
How to support the 2022 Festival
www.mcf.org.uk
@masonic_charity
/TheMCF
masonic_charity
...at a cost of
£5,502,833
£1,012,847
Recent grants awarded to charities in Essex totalled
Support in Essex
The last Essex Festival Appeal raised
for The Freemasons’ Grand Charity in 2011
Over the last five years, support amounted to
In the last 12 months, the Foundation has supported
£683,408
£4,464,494
210
Freemasons and family members in Essex
The Masonic Charitable Foundation builds better lives by enabling opportunity, advancing healthcare and education and promoting independence for Freemasons, their families and the wider community. A wide range of help and support is available for financial, health and family related needs, including:
Financial
• Essential daily living costs
• Grants following an accident, redundancy or personal crisis
• Funeral bills
• Minor home repairs
Health
• Medical treatment
• Dental treatment
• Mobility aids and essential home adaptations
• Counselling
Family
Children in full-time education
• Essential costs for education or training
• Scholarships, travel grants and student accommodation
• Supporting exceptional talent in sport, music or the performing arts
Care
• Masonic care homes – including nursing, residential and dementia care
• Respite care
• UK holidays
Alongside the Foundation’s financial help, the Advice & Support Team offers confidential, impartial and practical guidance about the grants available, state and local authority benefits and other useful organisations.
Can the Masonic Charitable Foundation help you?For advice about the support available, eligibility or how to apply, speak to your Lodge Almoner or contact the Foundation directly:
Freephone 0800 035 60 90 | Email [email protected] | Visit www.mcf.org.uk
What we do for Freemasons and families
Real Lives
Julian and family
When Julian’s business collapsed, he spent many sleepless nights worrying about how he would continue to provide for his family.
I was given 28 days before the bank repossessed my house, and that was when I called the Masonic Charitable Foundation. They stepped in straight away and I also got back into employment. Through that, Jasmine and Michael could continue to develop. I cannot think what would have happened without that.
Financial grants to cover daily living costs took the pressure off of the family until they got back on their feet.
The Foundation also provided termly maintenance allowances and dancing and music lessons for Julian’s children, Jasmine and Michael, so that their education was not negatively affected.
Michael is a talented actor, poet and dancer and is currently studying at the Royal Central School of Speech and Drama. Meanwhile, Jasmine has performed on the West End stage and recently reached Britain’s Got Talent final.
The Masonic Charitable Foundation looks beyond Freemasonry, making significant financial grants which help people to live happy, fulfilling lives and participate actively in society.
Grants are awarded to charities that provide support in the following areas:
Financial hardship for those in poverty, debt or unemployment
Health and disability for people experiencing chronic or life-limiting conditions and disabilities
Education and employability for disadvantaged children and young people
Social exclusion and disadvantage for those facing barriers to participating in society
Funding is also provided to:
Advance medical and social research
Hospices throughout England and Wales
Air ambulance and rescue services
Funding is provided to support major natural disaster relief appeals at the Foundation’s discretion.
The charities supported by the Masonic Charitable Foundation make a significant and lasting difference to those in need. The grants seek to benefit as many people as possible and further the causes about which Freemasons and their families are most passionate.
Charity grants
65% of people with learning disabilities tell us that they want to be in paid work and yet today, only 6% are. The World of Work project kindly funded by the Masonic Charitable Foundation will bring together schools and local employers to develop local employment networks, potentially leading to work placements and part-time jobs for the young people involved. Jill Davies, Programmes Manager Foundation for People with Learning Disabilities
The Masonic Charitable Foundation awarded £39,372 to the Mental Health Foundation to part-fund the ‘World of Work’ project which aims to improve employment opportunities for 60 young people in Essex who are aged 16-18 and have learning disabilities.
Bill
Bill, an 86-year-old Freemason, was diagnosed with cataracts but there was a waiting list of at least six months for NHS treatment.
Real lives
Since my wife, Nancy, died, I’m on my own which I find very difficult. My computer is my way of keeping in touch with the outside world, but eventually my cataracts meant I was unable to use it. I also use my computer to run a website featuring stories about my 39 years in the British Army.
I was Almoner of my Lodge for many years so when I realised I needed support, I got in touch with the Foundation directly. I had my operation earlier this year, almost straight away after I applied. I made a small contribution towards the cost from my savings and the Foundation paid the rest.
The operation has made a huge difference! I’m now able to use my computer again. If I could say anything to the Masonic Charitable Foundation I would say ‘Thank you, thank you, thank you!’ The help they have given me is without equal.
Steve
Steve, a Freemason from Essex, has severe lung problems that affect his whole body as well as pulmonary hypertension which is a terminal blood vessel disorder.
I was struggling, I couldn’t go out. I couldn’t walk more than 15 feet. I never had fresh air and towards the end I sat in the dining room for months on end, watching daytime TV and looking out at the rain. I couldn’t visit my daughters and I relied on a friend of mine to take me to Lodge meetings.
I fell down the stairs two or three times, and it was at this point that my Almoner suggested I apply to the Masonic Charitable Foundation.
The Foundation provided a stair lift which has meant I haven’t had any more falls, as well as a mobility scooter which means I can travel with my oxygen tank with ease. My friends and daughters live within two miles and once I’m on the scooter I can go wherever I like!
Medically, there is nothing anyone can do for me, but psychologically it’s made a huge difference. It has given me a life again. It’s also a relief to know that when my condition deteriorates, the Foundation will be there for my wife, Sharon, if she needs support.
I am delighted to advise you that Essex is the first Province to launch a Festival Appeal in support of the new Masonic Charitable Foundation. The Essex 2022 Festival Appeal – which officially started on 1 September – will, I hope, raise in excess of £5 million for this excellent charity over the next five years.
Essex Masons have a proud record of charitable giving, donating more than £1 million every year to hundreds of different charities and I feel sure than once again they will generously respond to this new challenge.
Although a relatively new charitable organisation, the Foundation – as illustrated in other pages of this booklet – is already making its presence felt in Essex with grants to dozens of local charities and support for Freemasons and their families. You can be sure than your money will be well used.
In this booklet you will also learn more about the aims and objectives of the Foundation along with ways that you as individual members and Lodges and Chapters can help support and donate.
As individuals you can qualify for the new Festival Jewel by taking out a Regular Payment Promise and I urge you to do this.
As well as contributing to your personal honorific, the money you give will also be counted against your Lodge or Chapter total. When you do this, please tick the Gift Aid box to further boost your donation.
Your Lodge and Chapter targets are based on your membership levels starting from 1 September 2016. Once again, the details you need are contained in this booklet. If you are in any doubt please discuss with your Charity Steward who will have the information you need.
Essex Masons have demonstrated that fundraising can be fun and I continue to be amazed by the innovative ways in which we raise money across the Province. I hope that these kinds of events will continue but I am also aware that the success of Essex Festival 2022 will also be very much down to the individual efforts of all our members, giving what they can and when they can. I warmly thank you in advance for your continued support.
The journey begins here and I am confident that, with your support, our Festival 2022 will be a massive success.
RW Bro Rodney L Bass Provincial Grand Master
For Freemasons, for families, for everyone
On completion of this form your donations will go directly into the Provincial Festival Relief Chest no. Both you and your Lodge will be attributed the donation towards your individual and Lodge Honorifics.
Registered charity number 1164703. A company limited by guarantee, registered in England and Wales number 09751836.
The Masonic Charitable Foundation builds better lives by enabling opportunity, advancing healthcare and education and promoting independence for Freemasons, their families and the wider community.
For Freemasons, for families, for everyone
60 Great Queen Street | London | WC2B 5AZ Tel: 020 3146 3333 | [email protected]
For updates about the Essex 2022 Festival visit our website:
www.essexfreemasons.org
Watch video stories of some of the Freemasons and families the Masonic Charitable Foundation has helped on YouTube now.
masonic_charity
The honorifics to celebrate and acknowledge financial
achievements are as follows:
(Including Gift Aid where applicable)
Individual Honorifics
£500 £1,000 £1,500
Grand PatronPatron
Steward/ Vice Patron
Lodge Honorifics
£200 £400 £600
Grand PatronPatronVice
Patron
Honorifics
For Freemasons, for families, for everyonewww.mcf.org.uk
Essex 2022 Festival Appeal