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 Freemasons from across Leeds have answered a call to ensure hundreds of children across the city will receive at least one present this festive season. In previous years, members of lodges and side orders who meet in Headingley’s Castle Grove Masonic Hall have been asked to donate a present or money to buy gifts, which were then donated to a number of local charities. The organisations who received gifts over the last two years include Leeds Children’s Hospital, Martin House Hospice Care for Children and Young People, Leeds Children’s Charity, and Leeds Jewish Welfare Board and Barnardo’s. However, because the ongoing coronavirus pandemic has forced the closure of Castle Grove, toy appeal co-ordinator organiser Graham Shiers has asked for monetary contributions instead, resulting in an avalanche of cash donations totalling in excess of £2,700 plus donations of brand new toys and clothing. Graham said: “The generosity of my fellow Freemasons is just overwhelming, and because of this we are able to increase the list of recipients this year from five charities to six, with Leeds Baby Bank, PhysCap Children's Charity and Homeless Street Angels now benefitting. “I’ve been blown away by the donations to date. In addition to toys and gifts we are also buying more practical presents including pyjamas and winter clothing. “It has also enabled us to provide other items including nappies, nappy sacks, baby wipes, baby shampoo and wash, plus other essentials that the Leeds Baby Bank will distribute to families in need over the festive period. “We are also now helping four families via Homeless Street Angels, including a single dad whose partner killed herself two years ago. He lost his job due to struggling with child care - he has a ten year old daughter and has nothing for her so we'll make sure she has a good Christmas. “And with many Jewish Freemasons meeting at Castle Grove, I’m once again delighted that Leeds Jewish Welfare Board will again receive Chanukah gifts for the 24 children under its care.” Graham - a member of Loyalty Lodge and the Lodge of Fidelity who started the toy appeal two years ago - said: “Never in all my years of being a Freemason have I been prouder of being a member of this wonderful fraternity. “Despite all the hardships that Covid has inflicted, not only has the local membership risen to the occasion, it has done so to the power of ten, and I couldn’t be more grateful. “I would like to personally thank everyone who has donated to this cause. Charity is one of the three great pillars that Freemasonry is founded on - and charity is very dear to our hearts.” 
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Airedale Hospital in West Yorkshire received a Mobile Chemotherapy Unit funded by the M.B.F. in November 2018. Over the last 12 months, it has donated over £200,000 to Charities across West Yorkshire, including: An Ambulance Support Vehicle for St John Ambulance Yorkshire £32,000 A Rapid Response Vehicle for Yorkshire Air Ambulance £32,093 A new Minibus for Martin House Hospice, Boston Spa £39,957 Refurbishment of a Canal Barge for Safe Anchor Trust £48,235 Special Syringe Drivers for Kirkwood Hospice, Huddersfield £23,400 A Flood Relief grant to South Yorkshire Community Foundation £20,000 Perinatal unit support, Forget-me-not Children’s Hospice, Huddersfield £16,585 Portable Electronic Gaming equipment for Forget-me-not Hospice £4.035 Similar to the Craft national Charity, the M.C.F., the Mark Benevolent Fund relies on Provincial Festivals for its funding and the Mark Province of West Yorkshire is currently in Festival. You can help to support the West Yorkshire Mark Festival just CLICK HERE The Cleeves and Whitehead Trust is a local West Yorkshire Mark Charity, providing Support and Pastoral Care for West Yorkshire Mark Masons and their families. It also makes grants to worthy causes in the community and last year donated over £44,000 to Charities in our Province. These included: Lost Chord (Dementia Charity, South Yorkshire) £1,000 SNAPS (Special Needs support, Leeds) £2,000 Asperger’s Children & Carers Together (Autism support, Sheffield) £1,500 Bradford Toy Library & Resource Centre (Toys for disabled children) £2,000 Safe Anchor Trust (Barge trips for disabled & disadvantaged, Mirfield) £2,000 Woodlands View Dementia Support Group (Sheffield) £7,200 Whiteknights Yorkshire Blood Bikes £2,000 Leeds Weekend Care (Weekend care for children with special needs) £1,000 Bradford Deaf Children (Supporting deaf children and their parents) £1,000 Performance Drama School (Providing children’s drama classes, Otley) £2,000 Clothing Solutions for Disabled People (Bradford) £2,000 Brighouse Central Methodist Church £13,440 Burley in Wharfedale Scout & Guide Group £1,890 Fulfil the Wish (Activities for children with disabilities, Bradford) £2,500 Round Table Children’s Wish (Fulfilling wishes for sick children) £2,000
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