Ed shares this latest news from the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Freemasons. Ed
Six years of dedicated fundraising by Hampshire and Isle of Wight Freemasons culminated at the Bournemouth International Centre where it was announced that over £7.7M had been raised for the Royal Masonic Trust for Girls and Boys (RMTGB).
The work of the RMTGB is “To relieve poverty and advance the education of children of a Masonic family and, when funds permit, support other children in need.”
A range of support
This includes Welfare Support, Talent Aid for gifted young people, Choral Bursaries for young choristers, Stepping Stones – and the Trust’s millennium project which was the creation of a new charity – Lifelites, which is now an independent charity and has established a presence in every children’s hospice in the country.
‘Britain’s Got Talent’
The announcement was made by Jasmine Elcock of ‘Britain’s Got Talent’ fame who was herself helped by the charity.
Jasmine also performed on the night for the 700-plus guests who attended the event.
Also present on the evening were many civic dignitaries, including the Deputy Lieutenants of Hampshire and the Isle of Wight, the Mayor of Bournemouth and the Chairman of New Forest District Council.
Staggering amount raised
The Provincial Grand Master for Hampshire and Isle of Wight Freemasons, Mike Wilks, who headed up the six year charity appeal, said:
“The amount raised is staggering and will be enormously beneficial to the charity and the children and families which it supports.
“In addition to this amount, throughout the six year period of the appeal, our brethren have continued to support local charities in the community across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight and have donated in excess of £200,000 each year to these local causes.
“As Freemasonry celebrates its Tercentenary in 2017, this support of local charities will continue and increase and I am immensely proud of the brethren’s achievement.”
The masonic province of Hampshire and Isle of Wight includes Christchurch and Bournemouth, which were transferred to the county of Dorset in 1974.
The total amount raised was £7,746,319.
