It’s No Secret – Freemasons donate £36,000 to NE Charities
Northumberland Freemasons held a special evening at Cramlington Masonic Hall to present more than £36,000 to charities and deserving projects throughout the region.
The Trustees of the Richard Henry Holmes Benevolent Fund meets twice per year in March and October to consider any requests for financial help and support from local and worthy causes in Northumberland and Tyneside. Awards totalling £36,750 to 28 recipients were presented at the evening with invited guests enjoying a buffet and presentations from some of the charities present.
Tritlington farmer, Ian Craigs, the Provincial Grand Master of Northumberland explained that only the National Lottery donated more to charity than the Freemasons.
“Nationally, we give millions of pounds to charity every year but very often, the general public don’t know about our charitable donations so we’re now encouraging charities to talk to us as we may be able to help them,” said Mr Craigs. “Freemasonry has a terrific amount to offer in today’s society and much of our work is helping to raise funds for deserving causes. I’m delighted to see so many of the charities present to receive their awards.”
The largest donation of the evening went to BRAINBOX, a children’s charity which helps young people with Acquired Brain Injuries (ABI). They received a cheque for £10,000. The Charity was established by families who had suffered the significant, life changing impact of having a child or young person with an acquired brain injury or related Illness.
CEO of the charity, Julie Cordon was delighted with the presentation:
“This most generous donation of £10,000 will make an enormous difference to the delivery of Brainbox services to our children living with Acquired Brain Injuries and their families by our team of volunteers. Relying as we do on charitable donations, it is wonderful that the importance our crucial work is recognised and supported by the caring, sensitivity and understanding of the Freemasons of Northumberland”
It was a double celebration for Brainbox, as they have also recently been awarded The Queens Award for Voluntary Service which is the highest honour a charity can receive.
A major theme of the presentations was the involvement of young people in cadet organisations. In total, £12,000 was given between Wallsend Sea Cadets, Whitley Bay Sea Cadets and Tynemouth Air Cadets. Kenton School and Bedlington Academy’s Cadet Expansion Schemes also benefited.
A full list of the charities who attended on the night is attached below and individual photographs are availableon request.
South East Northumberland
Cramlington and Seaton Valley Conservation Volunteers £700
Blyth battery Volunteers £500
Bedlington Academy Cadet Expansion Scheme £1000
Tynedale
Hextol Foundation £1000
Mid to North Northumberland
Northumberland Widows Sons Masonic Motorcycle Association £1500
Northumbrian Ranters £1000
WOOLER FIRST SCHOOL PTA – FOREST SCHOOL CLASSROOM £2500
Chernobyl Children’s Lifeline £2000 (Alnwick Rothbury)
Contact Morpeth Mental Health £1000
Charlotte Bloomfield Charity work in Bali £500
Get Rae to Kenya £500
Happy Days £2300 Luton based but helps children in Northumberland.
Newcastle
Kenton School Cadet Expansion Scheme £1000
Brainbox £10000
Active Strokes NE £1000
North Tyneside
Wallsend Sea Cadets £6000
Whitley Bay Sea Cadets £500
Holy Cross Brownies £750
Preston Grange Community Centre £1000
Tynemouth Air Cadets £3500
Beth Chandler Fiji Charity Work £500 (Whitley Bay)
Basement Project Longbenton £1000
Ends
Photo shows: Cadets and staff
Photo 2 Shows – The charities receiving their awards
Photo 3 All of those present
More photos of individuals available
Photo credits George Sanger
Media Info from Keith Newman Highlights PR 07814 397951 Keith@highlightspr.co.uk