Twenty-one local charities have received grants totalling more than £33,000 from The City and University of Cambridge Masonic Charitable Trust, alongside additional donations provided through the Masonic Charitable Foundation (MCF). The grants were presented by the Provincial Grand Master of Cambridgeshire, Mark Shields, at a special presentation evening held at the Cambridge Masonic Centre.
The donations will support organisations working across a wide range of charitable causes, including disability support, mental health, palliative care, homelessness, food poverty, family support and community wellbeing throughout Cambridgeshire.
Among the charities receiving support was The Red Hen Project, which was awarded £2,000 to help continue its work alongside children and families across North Cambridge. The charity provides practical help, emotional support and opportunities for connection before challenges reach crisis point.
Jennifer Rutter of The Red Hen Project expressed her gratitude, saying:
On behalf of everyone at The Red Hen Project, thank you for your generous donation of £2,000. Your support will help us continue working alongside children and families across North Cambridge, providing practical help, emotional support and opportunities for connection before challenges reach crisis point. Last year alone, we supported more than 840 local people through our family support, community activities and outreach work.
Cambridge College Riding for the Disabled Association (RDA) also benefited from the donations. The charity provides weekly riding lessons for disabled young adults aged 16 to 30 years across South Cambridgeshire. Run entirely by volunteers, the group helps riders develop physical strength, confidence, resilience and independence through the therapeutic benefits of horse riding. The charity is currently working towards expanding its team of specially selected horses to meet growing demand and continue providing opportunities for its riders to participate in regional and national RDA competitions.
Mark Shields, Provincial Grand Master for Cambridgeshire Freemasons, highlighted the organisation’s commitment to supporting local communities, saying:
Service and Friendship are two of the core values of Freemasonry. We are proud to support our local charities. When we concentrate our efforts and work with the community we can make a meaningful impact.
The presentation evening brought together representatives from charities across the county and provided an opportunity to celebrate the positive difference being made through partnership working and community support.
The City and University of Cambridge Masonic Charitable Trust has a long history of supporting local charitable causes, helping organisations deliver vital services to some of the most vulnerable members of society. Together with additional grants from the Masonic Charitable Foundation, the donations will help charities continue their important work and extend their reach to those most in need.
The event demonstrated once again the commitment of Cambridgeshire Freemasons to supporting local communities and strengthening the invaluable work undertaken by charities across the county.
