Jackie Colvil receives a cheque from Edmund Brookes of Alma Mater Lodge
Just before Christmas Alma Mater Lodge, in Cambridge, gave £1250 to the Trumpington Community Fridge to help provide essential food to those in need over the Festive period. This grant was funded from Alma Mater Lodge, Cambridgeshire Province Charity for Care & Relief and from the Masonic Charitable Foundation.
The Trumpington Community Fridge was set up earlier this year in response to an urgent demand for basic foodstuffs from those seriously affected by the Covid-19 Pandemic. They supply food on a “no questions asked” basis to those who cannot obtain supplies from anywhere else.
The Province of Cambridgeshire Charity for Care and Relief is constituted by Deed of Trust and is a Registered Charity. The objects of the Charity are to dispense funds for the benefit of poor and distressed throughout Cambridgeshire.
Freemasons donated £1 million between April and July to help those impacted by the Covid-19 crisis, and are now focusing on protecting the homeless, with a new series of donations across England and Wales.
The homeless crisis has been exacerbated by the Covid-19 pandemic, with many people losing their jobs and finding themselves either living on the streets or in unsuitable living conditions. In 2019 Shelter estimated that 280,000 people were homeless in England alone, while the Greater London Authority reported 4,227 people sleeping rough in London between April and June, of which 2,680 were sleeping on the streets for the first time.
The funds raised will help provide safe living conditions, healthcare, meals, and employment opportunities for the homeless; as well as helping protect them from the winter weather, which kills hundreds of homeless people every year. In addition, Freemasons will be volunteering their time at 26 homeless support organisations.
The grant from Cambridgeshire Freemasons comes through the Masonic Charitable Foundation, which is funded by Freemasons, from across England and Wales.
Jackie Colvil, Co-ordinator of the Trumpington Community Fridge said:
We much appreciate the generosity of Alma Mater Lodge and the Cambridgeshire Freemasons, especially at this time of year when there are very heavy demands on our services.
Edmund Brookes of Alma Mater Lodge said:
We are very pleased that we have been able to help the Trumpington Community Fridge.
Freemasons will be providing the following support to homeless people across the country:
- More than 40,000 homeless people will be provided with essentials, transport and support, as well as help accessing services such as counselling, healthcare and benefits;
- Almost 197,000 meals will be provided to homeless people;
- Approximately 600 people are being given employment and training opportunities;
- Nearly 1,400 individuals are being provided with accommodation and support.
ENDS
Notes to Editors
About the Province of Cambridgeshire Charity for Care and Relief:
The Charity is constituted by Deed of Trust and is a Registered Charity, number275991. The objects of the Charity are to dispense funds for the benefit of poor and distressed masons of the Province of Cambridgeshire, Masonic Charities, and for other charitable institutions, societies, or objects. For more information please contact our Secretary, George Brennan on 01354 694596 or to provgalm@pglcambs.org.uk
About Cambridgeshire Freemasonry:
The Masonic Province of Cambridgeshire is relatively small, with Masonic Centres in Cambridge, Ely, Newmarket, March, Chatteris, Whittlesey and Wisbech. There are around 1500 Freemasons and 30 individual lodges. We pride ourselves on our friendliness and inclusivity, with members drawn from all walks of life and professional backgrounds. We welcome enquiries from anyone who is curious about our values and our history. More information is available on our website and enquiries should be directed to our Provincial Office in Cambridge via https://www.cambridgeshirefreemasons.org.uk/ or to our Provincial Information Officer: Jon Cooper press@pglcambs.org.uk 07714 763427
About the United Grand Lodge of England:
The Premier Grand Lodge, which became the United Grand Lodge of England, was founded at the Goose and Gridiron Pub in London in 1717. It has 48 Provinces across the country and more than 7,000 Lodges, with students over the age of 18 able to join one of the 85 University Scheme Lodges. Freemasons use four important guiding principles to help define their path through life: integrity, friendship, respect and charity. One of the oldest social and charitable organisations in the world, Freemasonry’s roots lie in the traditions of the medieval stonemasons who built our cathedrals and castles. Membership is open to people from all backgrounds and the organisation’s aim is to empower members to be the best they can be – it’s about building character, supporting members as individuals and helping them make a positive contribution to society. Freemasonry is one of the largest charitable givers in the country, contributing more than £48m to deserving causes in 2018 alone. Freemasons do not only donate money – more than 18.5 million hours of volunteer work were undertaken by Freemasons in 2018. For further information about United Grand Lodge of England / Freemasonry, please contact Livia Ferreira, public relations manager, email: lferreira@ugle.org.uk l Telephone: +44 (0)20 7395 9208 | Mobile: +44 (0)7539 578699
About the Masonic Charitable Foundation
The Masonic Charitable Foundation (MCF) is one of the largest grant-making charities in the country. Funded entirely through the generosity of Freemasons and their families, the MCF awards millions of pounds each year to local and national charities that help vulnerable people, advance medical research and provide opportunities for young people. The MCF also helps to fund vital services such as hospices and air ambulances and regularly contributes to worldwide appeals for disaster relief. In total, MCF support helps to improve the lives of thousands of people every year in England, Wales and internationally. As well as providing grants to charities, the MCF supports Freemasons and their families with a financial, health or family need. Visit www.mcf.org.uk For further information about the Masonic Charitable Foundation, please contact Guy Roberts, Press Officer (groberts@mcf.org.uk |0203 146 3311)
