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National
Masonic Charities
There are four major National
Masonic Charities under the Grand Lodge. They are:
The
Grand Charity
The
Royal Masonic Trust for Girls and Boys
The
Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution
The
New Masonic Samaritan Fund
Click on the charities
name to read about its operation
The
Grand Charity
(Registered Charity No. 281942)
The Grand Charity is the
central charity of all Freemasons in the English Constitution.
While it is an independent
charity its members, who control its activities, are all those brethren who
are entitled to attend Grand Lodge. Grand Charity's giving each year is to
petitioners: brethren and their dependants who are in distressed circumstances.
The Grand Charity is the
major conduit through which charity is directed from the Craft to the needs
of the outside world. Besides the very considerable good that it does, this
non Masonic giving shows that freemasonry is not an inward looking self-help
society but that it is very much concerned with the charitable needs of people
and organisations that have no connections with freemasonry at all. In recent
years major grants have been made to charities for medical equipment and research
and the training of specialised nurses. Substantial donations have been given
regularly to Red Cross emergency appeals following natural disasters.
In the field of welfare
grants, have been made in support of youth projects; for research into the
care of the elderly; for the treatment of drug abusers; to combat homelessness;
to support carers and to provide mini buses and home alarms for the elderly.
Since 1984 the Grand Charity
has supported the hospice movement in England and Wales. Grants currently
range from £700 to £3,000; in 1998 £251,500 was shared
amongst 178 hospices.
To visit their website: www.grandcharity.org
To see the latest updates on this website click here
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The Royal
Masonic Trust for Girls and Boys
(Registered Charity No. 285836)
The purpose of the Royal
Masonic Trust for Girls and Boys is to relieve poverty and provide an education
and preparation for life for the children of the family of a freemason and,
where funds permit, for any children, as their fathers would have done had
they been able so to do.
During 1998 the trusts
supported 2,033 girls and boys at schools, colleges and universities. In addition
over 70 young people received grants from subsidiary funds and 11 non Masonic
organisations benefited from donations. Assistance is provided in every practicable
way to relieve poverty and advance education. This includes maintenance allowances
to assist with the family support for the child; grants for books, clothing,
food, accommodation, fees, educational travel, equipment and materials; topping
up LEA grants with scholarships, educational holidays; topping up wages received
when training where these are inadequate and educational and career counselling.
As its Millennium project
The Royal Masonic Trust for Girls and Boys has launched the Lifelights Project
setting aside £7.5M to provide computer equipment, video conferencing
and internet facilities throughout the children's hospice movement. It
will open a world to children whose life-threatening conditions would normally
allow them to experience all too little of it.
This project is being undertaken
in conjunction with the Worshipful Company of Information Technologists, whose
members are providing the technical expertise for the project. As a result
of the Lifelites Project a system will be in place providing education and
entertainment for the children in hospices, but more importantly an opportunity
to interact within and between hospices via e-mail and the internet enabling
children in hospices to keep in touch with their friends, make new friends
and link up with fellow sufferers and children in other hospices.
Two ancient traditions,
Freemasonry and the City Livery, have combined to utilise the latest technology
to provide a positive benefit within the community.
The principal Masonic Charity
for young people, The RMTGB has announced its new website, which contains
full information and news about their work. You can find it at www.rmtgb.org
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The Royal
Masonic Benevolent Institution
(Registered Charity No. 207360)
Helping older Freemasons and their dependants for over 160 years, the Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution (RMBI) has 17 care homes and provides other high quality care services throughout England and Wales.
Many of the RMBI's 17 Homes are registered for both residential and nursing care. All their Homes can accommodate people who may be becoming a little confused, but where specialist care is needed (e.g. Alzheimer’s disease, dementia), special House groups within a Home have been created.
The RMBI also offers some sheltered accommodation for those people who prefer to live more independently, but with the back up of the Home’s facilities and staff in an emergency.
The RMBI can offer short-stay breaks, including respite care, as well. These are helpful for both those living alone, and for families that need a little time without the demands of caring for an older relative.
Regular practical help and advice is available through our Care Advice Team as well as home improvement loans and holidays are other important services the RMBI provides.
This means that the RMBI is increasingly dependent on donations from the Craft and other Orders, as well as the valuable income it receives via the Festival System.
The RMBI has a freephone number for general enquiries - 0800 068 7624
The RMBI website has full details on all aspects of its work along with news, events listings and fundraising information.
We would also encourage Lodge Almoners to pay a visit to familiarise themselves with the services they offer.
www.rmbi.org.uk
The Tithebarn
The Tithebarn in Great Crosby, Liverpool is your local Home so if you know anyone who could benefit from care by the RMBI then please get in contact with the Home Manager, Mrs Linda Johnson on 0151 924 3683.
Ecclesholme
Ecclesholme in Eccles, Manchester is also an option for West Lancashire Brethren and their dependents. If you would like further information about this Home please contact Mrs Julie Deakin on 0161 788 9517.
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The
New Masonic Samaritan Fund
(Registered Charity No.1001298)
Established in 1990 with the active support of the
United Grand Lodge of England, the New Masonic Samaritan Fund is an independent
charity, which provides support for sick and infirm Freemasons, their families
and other dependants. The Fund provides private healthcare for applicants
who are unable to obtain their treatment on the UK's National Health Service
within a reasonable period of time. Once an application is accepted, the
interests of the patient will be paramount and the required treatment will
be obtained at whichever hospital is the most appropriate and, if possible,
near to where the patient lives.
THE OBJECTIVES OF THE FUND
The objectives of the Fund are the relief of suffering
and sickness in respect of Freemasons, their wives, children or dependants,
or the widows, children or dependants of deceased Freemasons.
The interests and needs of each applicant will be paramount
in determining how and where relief will be granted. The Board has also determined
that it can only give relief to applicants who demonstrate that the cost
of private healthcare would be a financial burden and who are otherwise unable
to obtain treatment on the National Health Service without undue delay.
A PROUD RECORD
In an average year, between 90 and one hundred cases per
month are initiated through the Samaritan Fund. Over £3 million was
granted last year to those qualifying for assistance and over 500 people
had their treatment in a fraction of the time promised by the N.H.S. This
year the NMSF expects to allocate even more funds in support of even more
individuals. With the cost of medical treatment increasing rapidly year on
year, the need for Masonic support remains high. With support available to
all ages across the full Masonic family the demands on the fund are also
increasing year on year.
It is a proud record of the fund that no qualifying
applicant has to date been refused assistance because the fund lacked resources.
If you know someone who needs help from the NMSF, please
tell them about the fund and ask them to contact their lodge almoner.
For further information visit the website of the New Masonic
Samaritan Fund at www.nmsf.org
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