W Bro Gary Brodie APGM is now the Provincial lead on all charity matters.
Gary has been actively engaged in all areas of charity and is the Festival Chairman. As we are just over two years since our 2021 Festival was launched, our focus will be on the Festival and although donations are going well there is still a lot of effort to be made by all to ensure we have a successful Festival.
I have area charity representatives in place throughout the Province to provide support and advice to all Charity Stewards.Gary Charnock and Nick Clarke are in the far north of the Province with Steve Perry looking after Bletchley area. The Aylesbury area is covered by David Dyson and Peter Thomas, Mark Stock is in the Marlow area. That leaves Steve Mathews for the Beaconsfield area and lastly Julian Keen is covering the Slough area.
The area representatives have received extra training and guidance and are well placed to offer any assistance that may be required. I have held Charity Stewards workshops and the training sessions were in all areas over the Province and those who attended benefitted. Further sessions will be held in 2019 .
CHEQUE PRESENTATION NIGHT MARCH 2018
This proved to be a very successful event with over £168,000 donated on the evening. On the night we heard from numerous Charities about their work and how our donations have had an impact on what they can provide. These events attract a variety of charities and I continue to be amazed by the accounts from the brethren as to why they selected their preferred charity.
The Cheque Presentation Event will be held again this year on 19th May 2019 and will be at The Holiday Inn, Aylesbury. Details have been circulated and lodges have been invited to attend. There will be an opportunity to present donations not only to charities but also from lodges to the 2021 Festival
Relief Chests and Gift Aid Envelopes
The use of the Gift Aid envelopes for collecting the alms is proving to be very effective in increasing donations by Lodges that use them. They also of course attract tax relief and that again takes advantage of an opportunity to raise funds and if your lodge is not using this method, I would urge you to consider the benefits.
It is encouraging to see so many members wearing a Festival Charity Jewel and this is also a good time for all Lodges and Charity Stewards to look at their Relief Chests and ensure that as many brethren as possible are donating on a regular basis, preferably direct to the 2021 Festival. The Lodge Relief Chest should show movement at least every twelve months to avoid incurring a chase up letter from HMRC and a great way to deal with this is for the lodge to make a transfer to the 2021 Festival using the appropriate transfer form. A presentation could be made at an Installation when a member of the executive may be present or at the
forthcoming Cheque Presentation Event.
Buckinghamshire Masonic Centenary Fund (BMCF)
This fund receives a voluntary £3 donation from each member of the Province, normally included in lodge subscriptions and the BMCF
committee meets three times a year to make grants from applications for funding. The grants are made from these contributions and from interest earned from other investments. The Fund is under the auspices of provincial trustees and administered on their behalf by the committee which is under the chair of the DPGM. The applications received are from a wide range of applicants. Examples of some of the grants made during 2018 are;
- Young Deaf Activities -£1,618
- Citizen Advice £5,000
- Alfriston School - £3,200
- Emily’s Star - £1,250 and several other.
I am delighted to report that since January 2018, the BMCF has donated over £27,000 to various local Charities in the name of Buckinghamshire Freemasons, something we should all be very proud of. Please remember if your Lodge is looking to raise funds to purchase equipment for a local cause or charity please talk to me as we may be able to assist you.
2021 Festival Charity Events
There have been numerous charity events held during 2018 to raise funds for the 2021 Festival and my thanks go to all those involved and those who donated. Two examples worthy of note are;
Manor of Swanburn Lodge along with family members undertook the Three Peaks Challenge in September 2018. The team climbed Ben
Nevis in Scotland, then next day climbed Scarfell Pike in the Lake District and finally on the next day they climbed Snowdon. A brilliant effort and at their celebration event in Bletchley Masonic Hall donated about £15K to the PGM for the 2021 Festival. A brilliant achievement.
Members of The Bucks Motorcycle Lodge together with the Bucks Classic Car Lodge undertook the ‘Mad Dash’, visiting all the Masonic Centres in the Province in eight hours. Many members dressed up in their finest leathers to ride their motorbikes all day in a very hot thirty-degree heat. One of them was our own PGM John Clark who ensured that he continues to not ask others to do things that he would not do himself, with the exception of a parachute jump and that is understandable! The ‘Mad Dash’ raised in excess of £10K for the 2021 festival, another magnificent effort.
To understand why donations from us all to the 2021 Festival are so vital I have included the latest ‘Impact Facts’ from the MCF to illustrate the grants and donations that have impacted on Buckinghamshire Masons/families and charities. The donations already made to our 2021 Festival are already being used to make such grants and this is why it is so important to keep the donations from our members coming in.
Four hospices in Buckinghamshire have received a share of over £5,100 awarded by the Masonic Charitable Foundation. The hospices provide palliative care to children or adults with life-limiting conditions.
MCF Impact statement
The Provincial Big Festival Fortnight 2019
The Bucks Big Festival Fortnight runs from the 7th to the 22nd June 2019
The Bucks Big Festival Fortnight aims to bring Freemasons together across the Province of Buckinghamshire in combined fundraising events that are all inclusive. Individuals, Lodges and Masonic Centres are all encouraged to participate in raising awareness as well as funds and celebrate the principles of our Institution.
Share your events, keep up with other’s initiatives and invite your brothers to join. Some events are already planned;
- Celebration Ball 22nd of June 2019 at The Doubletree Hotel starring Ray Lewis, former Lead Singer of The Drifters.
- Film Night at Pinewood Studios - 7th June.
- Nomadic Lodge Consecration - Friday 14th June.
- Kayaking on the Great Ouse River - Wineslai Lodge.
Check out the BFF Facebook and Twitter pages for more information.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/BucksBigFestivalFortnight/
https://twitter.com/BigFortnight
Sincerely and Fraternally
W Bro Mike Clanfield
Provincial Grand Charity Steward
Buckinghamshire
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.