 Brethren of the Castle Grove Masonic Lodges, Leeds, once again rose to the occasion to make their Annual Toy and Gift Appeal an incredible success; resulting in an avalanche of cash donations totalling in excess of £2,700 plus donations of brand-new toys and clothing.
The annual appeal was launched in November 2018, with the intention of bringing the various Castle Grove Lodges together, to provide something tangible to young people in the local community. Initially, the toys and gifts were to be donated to Leeds Children’s Hospital, however, the response proved so overwhelming that, in 2020, the number of charity recipients increased to six, including Leeds Children’s Hospital, The Leeds Children’s Charity, Leeds Baby Bank, Barnardo’s and the Leeds Jewish Welfare Board, which received Chanukah gifts for 24 children under its care. Amanda Burdon Family Outreach Support Worker at LJWB commented, “We are delighted to receive the generous donation of toys and gifts from Graham and Robert on behalf of the Castle Grove Lodges. This year has been an extremely difficult year for our families with many struggling with social isolation caused by the pandemic. I am sure everyone of our families will greatly appreciate the kind thoughts and donation of gifts from the Castle Grove Masonic Lodges for their children at Chanukah.” Toy Appeal co-ordinator Graham Shiers (pictured left) said, “Normally, Brethren and Lodges mainly donate toys and gifts, however, as we were unable to meet due to the Covid-19 situation, we asked for financial donations and purchased the gifts on their behalf.” “Since launching the appeal in October, the response was overwhelming. We were inundated with financial donations, which we used to buy toys and gifts, including pyjamas and clothing. It also enabled us to provide items including nappies, nappy sacks, baby wipes, baby shampoo and wash, plus other essentials that the Leeds Baby Bank distributed to families in need over the holiday season. We were also able to help four families via Homeless Street Angels.”
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West Riding Masonic Charities Limited (WRMCL) financial year runs from October to the end of September.
Thanks to the generous contributions from West Yorkshire Freemasons and their families, a total of £438,241 has been paid out in charitable grants by WRMCL during the year 2019/20 as shown below: WRMCL discretionary Grants £79,650 West Riding beneficiaries - Christmas and birthday gifts £40,280 PGM’s Fund Major and Minor Grants Meal Appeal Grants and South Yorkshire Lord Lieutenants Fund Grants £215,703 CHOICES £83,894 TLC Teddies £18,714 Total Grants made £438,241 We reported in this month's Newsletter, a grant from the Provincial Grand Master's Fund to CGCC Food Bank. The letter below demonstrates how the charitable donations of West Riding Freemasons make a huge difference to the less fortunate in our communities.
Dear Sirs, Thank you so much for supporting the CGCC Food Bank by awarding a grant of £2,000. Many of us are fortunate enough to lead comfortable lives and it can be difficult to comprehend the poverty and deprivation being suffered within our district. It wasn’t until the Covid-19 pandemic that we truly realised the extent of support needed in our local community. As you know from our application, we’re now making the CGCC Food Bank a permanent service, so that we can continue to support those who need it longer term. Your donation will allow us to continue supplying between 60 and 100 households a week with essential food parcels and ancillary assistance. You are making a real difference to the lives of local residents who would otherwise struggle to access support for a variety of reasons. From all of our volunteers, recipient households and I, thank you for your generous award. Kind regards, Holly Buxton Project Coordinator CGCC Food Bank Brethren, this latest newsletter gives details of grants awarded during November to charities and organisations across the Province. Its aim is to ensure that all Brethren and their families within Yorkshire, West Riding are aware of the work that WRMCL is doing to support those within our communities. Since the previous update, the Provincial Grand Master’s Fund has made grants, totalling over £4,400, to three community organisations, where it is hoped there will be the biggest impact in terms of community benefit: Honley Junior Football Club - is a community club, welcoming any young player, whatever age, gender or ability, to develop and enjoy their love of football. The grant of £400 will be used towards the provision of training tops for the Under 14s; sponsored by Beaumont Lodge No 2035, Kirkburton.  Sheffield Cruse Bereavement Care - is a registered charity providing counselling and support for individuals who are struggling to come to terms with bereavement in the Sheffield area. Traditionally, this has been provided both face to face and over the phone, by trained volunteers and supported by a core of management and staff from their office. Covid-19 has placed additional strain on the service. The current pandemic has increased the number of calls upon their services, yet funding has suffered due to the inability to raise monies during the lockdown. The grant of £2,000 will go some way towards their operating costs; sponsored by Lodge of Industry No 6579. CGCC Community Foodbank - was established by a Community Workforce in March this year, in response to the Covid-19 pandemic. They currently distribute 95 food parcels every week to households within a 4.5-mile radius of the Calder Grove cricket club; a number which is increasing. Having had to vacate the Village Institute, Crigglestone, they have moved into temporary accommodation and are building a permanent home for the food bank at the cricket club. The grant, of £2,000, will help towards the purchase of racking and equipment, to fit-out the new food bank including fridge/freezers, furniture and office equipment; sponsored by Tateshall Lodge No 7645, Pontefract. Finally, Brethren during these very difficult times the CHOICES Care and Support Officers have maintained regular contact with clients and beneficiaries by phone, to reassure them that we are still here for them and to provide support and advice. The CHOICES Team are concerned that Brethren, in need of assistance, may not be seeking the help that is available. The following detail and leaflet provide further information about the Scheme and you are encouraged to seek support should you require it. Make CHOICES your first call for assistance. West Riding Masonic Charities Limited, YOUR CHARITY, is ready to provide assistance to any West Riding Freemason, his family, dependants or widow, in their time of need. CHOICES IS HERE TO HELP AND IS NOT MEANS TESTED. Support can be provided in many different ways ranging from Emergency Financial Grants, financing home improvements and minor repairs, to short term respite and support with social care needs We have two excellent Care & Support Officers, who are available to provide help, advice and support; we also provide a telephone befriending service, available for a confidential discussion. For FAST, CONFIDENTIAL help contact your Lodge Almoner, or if you prefer, give the FREE Confidential Help Line a call, on 03449 02 02 20. Never assume the CHOICES TEAM cannot help, if YOU don’t ask the question, YOU will never know the answer. For more information, please see the attached brochure. Stay safe, keep well. 
Brethren, this latest newsletter gives details of grants awarded during October to charities and organisations across the Province. Its aim is to ensure that all Brethren and their families within Yorkshire, West Riding are aware of the work that WRMCL is doing to support those within our communities. Since the previous update, the Provincial Grand Master’s Fund has made grants, totalling over £6,500, to three community organisations, where it is hoped there will be the biggest impact in terms of community benefit: Ambitions 4 Kirklees - offers adults with learning difficulties, in the local area, an opportunity to learn how to overcome those difficulties and focus on their abilities. They also support four clients living in three separate properties having `supported living' status. The grant of £2,400 will be used to update IT equipment; laptops, tablets and projectors, to improve both teaching and learning activities; sponsored by St John’s Lodge No 827, Dewsbury. Pictured are some of the people benefitting from the services provided by Ambitions.  Yorkshire Cancer Community is an information and support network for people affected by cancer and those who support patients and carers in the Yorkshire and Humber area.  Their aim is to enable the views and experiences of cancer patients, families and friends, to be heard and used to improve the quality of cancer care in the region. They inform the network by way of newsletters, social media, a website and networking meetings, as well as visits to cancer support groups. Despite having a skilled team of volunteers, they lack the technical expertise to update and amend their website; a crucial part of their work and vital at this time, in offering information regarding coronavirus and cancer, shielding and hospital and local authority helplines. The grant of £1,902 will fund a web hosting and annual support contract, ensuring the stability and security of the website; sponsored by Tateshall Lodge No 7645, Pontefract. Sue Ryder Wheatfields Hospice, Leeds provides expert palliative care and bereavement support to people living with a life-limiting conditions and supports their loved ones and families. They provide specialist medical care for managing pain and other symptoms, together with other emotional, practical and spiritual support.  The grant, of £2,200, will be used to purchase a pressure- relieving mattress, designed to ensure patients are able to spend their last days with as much comfort, dignity and independence as possible.; sponsored by Lodge of Dawn No 6511, Leeds. We previously reported a grant from the Provincial Grand Master’s Fund for Emmaus Sheffield, a charity providing support to homeless people. The cheque was recently presented by the Master of Welcome Lodge No 3779, Richard Campos, pictured below left, with (l to r); Darrell Price of Welcome; Stephen Evans, a ‘companion’ living at Emmaus and Graham Bostock, Emmaus CEO.  Richard said, “Due to the generosity of Yorkshire Freemasons, we are delighted to have been able to help such a valuable project as the Emmaus Community in Sheffield, with a £5,000 grant from the PGM’s Fund to enable them to buy a fogging machine and PPE, so they could reopen the shop for the refurbishment and sale of second-hand goods. Thus, enabling them to generate funds to keep the community financed. Emmaus provides a home for as long as someone needs it, in a safe environment and gives people the opportunity to take stock of their lives. As Sheffield Freemasons, we are pleased to support a Sheffield project, doing such tremendous work within our city. We wish them well and a profitable future in these uncertain times.”
Finally, Brethren during these very difficult times the CHOICES Care and Support Officers have maintained regular contact with clients and beneficiaries by phone, to reassure them that we are still here for them and to provide support and advice. Please remember, if you need help, guidance or support from our Care and Support Officers or the CHOICES Team call the confidential help line on 03449 020220 or contact your Lodge or Area Almoner. The process is quick, simple, extremely efficient and confidential. Take Care! This latest newsletter gives details of grants awarded during September to charities and organisations across the Province. Its aim is to ensure that all Brethren and their families within Yorkshire, West Riding are aware of the work that WRMCL is doing to support those within our communities. Since the previous update, The Provincial Grand Master’s Fund has made grants, totalling over £10,000, to five community organisations, where it is hoped there will be the biggest impact in terms of community benefit: Tandem Trekkers - a registered charity and cycling group providing facilities within the Huddersfield area, for individuals with visual impairment to participate in tandem cycling. The grant of £2,500 will be used not only to invest in bikes and equipment, but to go some way towards the purchase of a mini-bus to transport the same; sponsored by St John’s Lodge No 827, Dewsbury.  Friends of Parkinson's Park - the park sits on the hillside above Guiseley and volunteers
aim to ensure a well-maintained public ‘landscape’ park to enhance the quality of life for the residents of Aireborough. The grant of £1,300 will allow the purchase of a bench, for use by elderly and disabled residents; sponsored by Harewood Lodge No 5667, Otley. Ilkley & District Good Neighbours - support the elderly and vulnerable in Ilkley and the surrounding area, with one-to-one befriending, assisted shopping and a weekly social group. The coronavirus pandemic has placed greater demand upon the volunteers and the grant of £1,000 will provide funding to help their clients during the present ‘lockdown’; sponsored by Olicana Lodge No 1522. Sheffield Mencap & Gateway - the leading provider of training and support for adults with learning disabilities in Sheffield; providing support to over 600 adults and children. Due to the coronavirus pandemic, face-to-face sessions have ceased and many members are suffering mental health issues and leading a sedentary lifestyle. They have limited internet access and the grant of £2,250 will provide the most vulnerable members with tablets, on a loan basis, enabling the delivery of sports sessions; sponsored by the Chapter of Loyalty No 296. Swinnow Community Centre - is run by community volunteers and accommodates a large number of local community groups and initiatives, being the only community facility serving the whole of the Pudsey area. The increased demand for hot meals and other food services by the vulnerable in the community, due to the pandemic, has necessitated an upgrade of the kitchen facilities and the grant of £3,000 will assist in bringing the project to an early conclusion; sponsored by St Laurence Lodge No 2330. A further grant from the Provincial Grand Master’s Fund of £1,500 was enhanced by matched- funding from the Masonic Charitable Foundation, making a total of £3,000 towards the cost of a replacement boiler for Emmaus Sheffield, a charity providing support to homeless people. In addition, a grant has been made from the Masonic Meal Appeal Fund, in the amount of £2,000 to St Saviours Community Project, Sheffield. The Food Bank provides food parcels on a weekly basis to those in the local community and deliver to some 30 adults and children. The grant will help equip a local storage area with shelving, to both store food and from which, volunteers can make up the food parcels for distribution; it will also assist in increased costs caused by the pandemic; sponsored by the Lodge of Industry No 6579. Finally, during these very difficult times the CHOICES Care and Support Officers have maintained regular contact with clients and beneficiaries by phone, to reassure them that we are still here for them and to provide support and advice. Please remember, if you need help, guidance or support from our Care and Support Officers or the CHOICES Team call the confidential help line on 03449 020220 or contact your Lodge or Area Almoner. The process is quick, simple, extremely efficient and confidential.  Disabled students in Harrogate are being aided in their lessons thanks to a local Masonic Lodge.
Harlow Lodge secured a grant of £1,500 to enable Disability Action Yorkshire to purchase six laptop computers, which are being used by learners at its Hornbeam Park headquarters and training centre. During the coronavirus lockdown, which resulted in the closure of the charity’s classrooms, IT played an important role in the continuing education of its students via distanced learning lessons. Disability Action Yorkshire Chief Executive Jackie Snape said: “Once again, we are extremely grateful to the Masonic community for their latest generous donation. “Over the years we have received financial support from a number of different lodges within Harrogate, including helping us fund a wheelchair accessible vehicle, and a virtual reality headset to aid helping customers at our residential home experience new situations before trying them for real. “These new laptops will boost our IT provisions and are a very welcome addition to our training resources.” Harlow Lodge secure the funding from the Freemasons Province of Yorkshire West Riding’s Provincial Grand Master’s Fund. Each year this fund distributes grants totalling £200,000 to charities, community groups, youth organisations and hospices across the Province’s geographical footprint. Based on the old West Riding, the area stretches from Sheffield in the South to Ripon in the North, and Goole in the East to Waddington in the West. Last month alone it presented grants totalling £124,369. Jason Baskind, Master of Harlow Lodge, said: “Charitable giving is at the heart of Freemasonry, and I’m delighted that we were successful in our application for a grant for Disability Action Yorkshire. “Like every charity in the UK, Covid has had a massive impact on its fundraising activities. “Disability Action Yorkshire is a highly-respected organisation and much valued in Harrogate and it’s a pleasure to be associated with it. “These laptop computers are already being put to good use, within Disability Action Yorkshire’s training centre.” Additional information regarding the Freemasons Province of Yorkshire West Riding is available from its website https://www.wrprovince.org.uk/ Further information about Disability Action Yorkshire, is available from its website, www.disabilityactionyorkshire.org.uk  Having heard that callous thieves had stolen a vehicle belonging to the Prince of Wales Hospice, Pontefract, the Freemasons of Yorkshire, West Riding donated £2,000 towards the cost of a replacement.
Jill Kirkham, Fundraising Manager at the Hospice said, “Our retail vehicles form a vital part of our fundraising income. Your donation will contribute to the purchase of a much-needed vehicle, which in turn will help us to continue to support around 1,000 local people affected by life-limiting illnesses. We are so thankful for your generosity.” Chairman of West Riding Masonic Charities Ltd, Stuart Cadman accompanied Provincial Grand Master David Pratt, to present the cheque to Head of Retail, Kevin Hogarth and Sister Benson at the Hospice. Brethren this latest newsletter gives details of grants awarded during August to charities and organisations across the Province. Its aim is to ensure that all Brethren and their families within Yorkshire, West Riding are aware of the work that WRMCL is doing to support those within our communities. Hopefully, you will have seen all the publicity given to our recent grants on the ‘West Yorkshire Freemasons’ Page on Facebook. If not, why not have a look and do as over 2,300 people have done already; like the Page. Since the previous update, The Provincial Grand Master’s Fund has made major grants, totalling £61,700, to three community organisations, where it is hoped there will be the biggest impact in terms of community benefit: The Friends of Beaumont Park - a voluntary group actively working with Kirklees Metropolitan Council to regenerate the park in Huddersfield and restore it to its former glory. The grant will be used to provide specialist play equipment for children with disabilities. (£24,700); sponsored by Colne Valley Lodge No 1645. Otley Old People's Welfare Committee - to refurbish and update the welfare centre on Crossgate, making it user-friendly, particularly for the disabled; to include a new kitchen, new toilets and office. (£20,000); sponsored by Royal Wharfedale Lodge No 1108. Ladybower Fisheries – a charity providing therapeutic benefits of fishing and enjoyment on open water to underprivileged and disabled people. The grant will go towards buying a large wheelyboat, able to accommodate 8 disabled people in wheelchairs. (£17,000) sponsored by Hallamshire Lodge No 2268. The Masonic Meals Appeal continues to support worthy causes during the ongoing pandemic.
Finally Brethren, please remember, if you need help, guidance or support from our Care and Support Officers or the CHOICES Team call the confidential help line on 03449 020220 or contact your Lodge or Area Almoner. The process is quick, simple, extremely efficient and confidential.
The Provincial Grand Master’s Fund has made major grants, totalling £61,700, to three community organisations, where it is hoped there will be the biggest impact in terms of community benefit:
The Friends of Beaumont Park - a voluntary group actively working with Kirklees Metropolitan Council to regenerate the park in Huddersfield and restore it to its former glory. The grant will be used to provide specialist play equipment for children with disabilities. (£24,700); sponsored by Colne Valley Lodge No 1645. Otley Old People's Welfare Committee - to refurbish and update the welfare centre on Crossgate, making it user-friendly, particularly for the disabled; to include a new kitchen, new toilets and office. (£20,000); sponsored by Royal Wharfedale Lodge No 1108. Ladybower Fisheries – a charity providing therapeutic benefits of fishing and enjoyment on open water to underprivileged and disabled people. The grant will go towards buying a large wheelyboat, able to accommodate 8 disabled people in wheelchairs. (£17,000) sponsored by Hallamshire Lodge No 2268. |
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