Freemasons donate more than £70k to good causes

More than £70,000 has been handed to good causes by the Freemasons of Bedfordshire.
Freemasons of Bedfordshire award funding - Anthony Henderson, future Provincial Grand Master, left, and Michael Sawyer, current Provincial Grand Master, at the presentationFreemasons of Bedfordshire award funding - Anthony Henderson, future Provincial Grand Master, left, and Michael Sawyer, current Provincial Grand Master, at the presentation
Freemasons of Bedfordshire award funding - Anthony Henderson, future Provincial Grand Master, left, and Michael Sawyer, current Provincial Grand Master, at the presentation

A total of 49 different charities received the donations which amounted to £72,061, raised by lodge members from across Bedfordshire over the past 12 months.

Among the charities and good causes to benefit were Diabetes UK, Cancer Research UK, Bedfordshire Games, Keech Hospice Care, Help For Heroes, Autism Bedfordshire, Alzhiemers UK, Luton and Dunstable Hospital, Bedford Hospital, Midshires Search and Rescue, Bedfordshire Scouts and Sue Ryder.

Each of the charities were presented with their cheques by the representatives from the supporting lodges or the Provincial Grand Master of the Province of Bedfordshire, Michael Sawyer.

He said: “All the money that we raise comes from Freemasons themselves and it gives them great pleasure to be able to contribute to these charities and the wonderful work that they do.”

Charity representatives present expressed their gratitude and how important the donations are in helping them reach their targets for support.

The presentations were made at the Luton Masonic Centre with around 160 people attending.

There are 1,720 Freemasons in Bedfordshire who meet at Masonic Halls in Bedford, Luton, Biggleswade, Ampthill, Dunstable and Leighton Buzzard. Nationally more than 200,000 Freemasons and their families enjoy the fellowship and fun offered by this global fraternity.

Nationally, since 1980, the Freemason’s Grand Charity has given more than £100 million in grants and donations to other charities.

For further information on Freemasonry in Bedfordshire or membership details visit www.pgbeds.org

or call 01234 214292.

For further information about Freemasonry nationally visit www.ugle.org.uk