The Annual Charity Giving Night is the culmination of the year’s charitable endeavours within the Blackpool Group. Over 100 individuals gathered at Blackpool Masonic Hall to witness this highly anticipated event. The gathering commenced with a fine buffet, prepared by Shaun and his team at Masonic Catering Ltd in the Museum Dining Room, where invited dignitaries savoured the delectable spread. Subsequently, the attendees proceeded upstairs to the Eric Sharples Suite, where the charity presentations were being held.
The lodges and chapters that meet in Blackpool consistently demonstrate exceptional generosity, the charity giving night has been a resounding success for many years, resulting in the collective donation of £1,000s to a diverse array of charities and benevolent causes within Blackpool. It is noteworthy that the majority of these funds are provided by Freemasons, supported by their families and friends. Blackpool Freemasons, were filled with immense pride and a strong sense of accomplishment in this collective endeavour.
This year’s event was held at Blackpool Masonic Hall and the evening was formally introduced by the Chairman of Blackpool Group Stephen Jelly. The principal guests included the Mayor of Blackpool, Councillor Kim Critchley, accompanied by her Mayoral Consort, Councillor Mel Fenlon. Additionally, Blackpool Group Secretary Michael Tax, Regional Charity Steward Bob Marsden, Blackpool Group Charity Steward Neil Higgins and Provincial Grand Charity Steward Paul Shirley were present.
Stephen warmly welcomed everyone to the giving night and reminded the invited guests of the numerous positive developments within Freemasonry and the Blackpool Group, particularly the significant increase in new members. Stephen presented a comprehensive and optimistic portrayal of the Craft’s progress, both locally and nationally.
Stephen further informed the assembled audience that there are approximately 170,000 Freemasons across the country, representing diverse backgrounds and lifestyles, who congregate in Masonic halls. The overarching objective for all Freemasons is to cultivate thoughtful and confident individuals while upholding the fundamental values of integrity, friendship, respect and service throughout their lives. In the current era characterised by uncertainty, these values remain as pertinent as they have been throughout the history of Freemasonry.
Freemasonry takes pride in its three-century legacy of providing assistance to those in need. And they make a substantial contribution to local and national affairs annually by dedicating both their time and financial resources to effecting a tangible impact on a wide range of diverse organisations and communities. Beyond monetary donations, Freemasons undertake over 18,500,00 hours of volunteer work within their communities each year.
Furthermore, Freemasons raise substantial funds for medical research into treatments for various ailments, including cancer, diabetes, heart disease, Alzheimer’s and numerous other conditions. This funding supports UK medical scientists in conducting groundbreaking discoveries.
Appreciation was extended to the 24 charities out of the 55 receiving donations who made the effort to attend the evening, along with their exhibition stands and informative leaflets. These efforts brought attention to the exceptional work they perform in the community and expressions of gratitude to the lodges and chapters that contributed to the financial success of the event were given.
Blackpool Group Charity Steward Neil Higgins, a Northwest Blood Bike rider himself, compered the evening in his own distinctive manner, introducing the various charities present and inviting them to the front of the room to receive their donation cheques and provide a concise overview of their charitable endeavours.
Each charity shared a compelling narrative, explaining, with unwavering dignity, the reasons behind their involvement. Some sought assistance for others, while others were directly affected by personal circumstances, such as family or the loss of loved ones. Others grappled with life-altering or terminal illnesses. Some attended to provide essential support, including sports equipment, or assistance in acquiring life-enhancing aids, or contributing to the operational expenses of a meeting venue. These inspiring stories deeply moved the audience, eliciting numerous moments of emotional resonance.
Following the receipt of donations and the presentations of the charities, Stephen made an exciting announcement. The Freemasons of Blackpool had made substantial contributions to various causes throughout the year. The smallest donation was a modest £90, while the largest, a collective donation, exceeded £3,530. In total, the lodges and chapters of Blackpool collectively donated a substantial amount of £56,302.44 to various charities and deserving causes during the 2024-2025 Masonic year.
In her concluding remarks, Madam Mayor expressed her gratitude for the invitation to share this experience with the esteemed guests. She acknowledged the remarkable spirit of philanthropy that permeates the community. It was a privilege to be present and witness the dedication of so many deserving charities. The evening was truly enriching and she was honoured to be invited to such a distinguished and meaningful occasion.
Madam Mayor proceeded to announce that her chosen charity for the upcoming mayoral year is Home Start Blackpool. This local organisation provides support to families with young children, empowering parents to navigate the challenges they face. Home Start Blackpool offers guidance and assistance in coping with parenting difficulties, fostering confidence and creating better lives for their children.
The guests departed the giving night with a renewed sense of humility and appreciation for the generosity and compassion displayed.