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
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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. ![]()
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. |
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