It is said that a distinguishing characteristic of every Freemason's heart is Charity.
From its early days Freemasons have been concerned with the care of orphans, the sick, and the elderly; and set up 4 National Masonic Charities which continue today to help meet these needs.
In addition to the National Charities, each individual Lodge and Province supports
many local charities, and over recent years York Lodge No. 236 has made donations
to causes close to our own hearts :-
Army Bevevolent Fund - Presentation by Worshipful Master Robin Rochfort-Hyde to Mrs
Jane Ingham, North East Fundraising Coordinator, and Col. Mike Ingham on Dec 13th
2010.
Donations over recent years have made to the following:-
2010
* Army Benevolent Fund - This years chosen charity of the Worshipful Master. Please
see above for presentation of donation.
* Candlelightes - Children’s Cancer Charity
* Friends of Connaught Court.
2009
* Afghan Trust.
* MacMillan Nurses.
* Friends of Connaught Court.
* Army Benevolent Fund.
* Alzheimers Carers - This years chosen charity of the Worshipful Master.
* Snappy.
* Prostate Cancer Fund.
2008
* Yorkshire Air Ambulance.
* Cystic Fibrosis Trust.
* Friends of Hob Moor School.
* Bangladesh Appeal.
* Donation to local school girl to assist in funding an aid visit to Peru.
The 4 Masonic Charities are as follows :-
THE GRAND CHARITY
The Freemasons' Grand Charity is a grant-making charity which supports people in
need. Since 1981, they have made grants totalling over £80 million to thousands of
individuals and non-Masonic charities. The work of the Charity continues a commitment
to charitable support that began nearly 300 years ago in the earliest days of organised
Freemasonry.
ROYAL MASONIC BENEVOLENT INSTITUTION
The RMBI has been caring for older Freemasons and their dependants for over 160 years. They operate 17 residential care homes across England and Wales offering high quality care. Many of their homes are registered for both residential and nursing care and a number offer specialist dementia care.
ROYAL MASONIC TRUST FOR GIRLS AND BOYS
Since the late 18th Century, the Royal Masonic Institution for Girls and the Royal Masonic Institution for Boys have helped relieve poverty and advanced the education of the children of deceased and distressed Freemasons. This function and other wider terms of reference were taken up by the Trust, when in 1986, it took over the running of the former charities.
MASONIC SAMARITAN FUND
The Masonic Samaritan Fund is a grant making charity that supports Freemasons and their dependants who have an identified medical need and, faced with a long wait for treatment, are unable to afford their own private care.
This page and its contents has not been approved by the United Grand Lodge of England.