2020 continues to be a challenging year with our meetings and fundraising activities severely restricted. As you know our Target of £2,712,768 was reached in November 2020, we are very pleased to announce that collectively as a Province we have passed £3,000,000 in donations. Can I thank you all for the continuing support you give which will make such a difference to those who need to call upon the Masonic Charitable Foundation (MCF) for support.
The Festival is now in the final stages as we head into the final months and hopefully our Festival in the Park event scheduled for 24th July 2021 in the fabulous Marquee at Wynyard. Full details of what we hope will be a fitting finale to a very successful Festival Campaign for the (MCF) will be coming in the New Year.
We understand and realise many Lodges are still facing disruption and some will be finding it difficult to meet and to make vital decisions. If your Lodge is looking to release funds to support the festival, I encourage you to do so and to forward those donations to Provincial Office without delay. This will ensure we can credit it to your Lodge total without delay.
Our Grand Raffle will be drawn on 12th March 2021, Andrew Foster has contacted all the lodges with updated details. Many lodges due to current restrictions have purchased their full allocation on behalf of the lodge instead of selling to individuals which is fine. Also, if you’re planning to make a lodge donation why not consider buying additional tickets from Andrew who will ensure the purchase is allocated against your lodge target.
Speaking of Lodge targets / achievements, we now have 168 lodges that have achieved bronze, 124 have gone on to reach silver. 79 lodges have hit their target with gold, and we have 39 lodges with the PGM’s platinum. We encourage every lodge to do their best and for every member to strive to be a Steward of the Festival by donating or raising £480.
Many of our fundraising events were curtailed this year by the virus but it didn’t stop some our members from challenging themselves by walking, running and cycling and raising over £20,000 for the national COVID fund.
Can I thank everyone who has continued their direct debits during the last few months and can I encourage you to continue to do so until our Finale. The support is needed even more now by those affected due to the pandemic. The MCF has given over £80,000 since April to charities in our Province suffering from the effects of COVID-19, which has been possible by the generosity of Freemasons and their families.
Remember in these difficult times the MCF is here to help if you need support or someone you know please make the call or contact your Almoner or Benevolent Representative. This can be done very confidentially by contacting the MCF enquiry line: 0800 035 60 90.
John Thompson
Festival Director