Guernsey Press

Masons donate £46k to charity

FIVE charities have been supported by local freemasons who split £46,000 between the different organisations.

Published
Left to right: Sue Whalley, Sarah Bamford, David Lihou, Anne Brouard, Sara Gould, provincial grand master Keith Read, Nick King, Judy Priaulx, Terry March, John Bridle and Jerry Girard at the Masonic Centre in St Martin’s. (22839305)

Autism Guernsey, Bowel Cancer Guernsey, Giving Opportunities, Parkinson’s Disease Association Guernsey Branch and The Healing Music Trust each received £9,200 from the Province of Guernsey & Alderney Freemasons.

The funds were handed over at a special ceremony at their Masonic Centre in St Martin’s, led by provincial grand master Keith Read, with the visitors given a tour of the building afterwards.

Autism Guernsey office manager Mandy Morris said they had already earmarked how the funding will be used.

‘The Freemasons’ donation will go towards our Adult Outreach Service, which provides tailored and comprehensive support to individuals affected by autism within the community,’ she said.

‘We adapt our services to the individual’s needs as no person is the same and that is something we respect and value.

‘We are also in the planning process to develop new initiatives, for example, further development of the coding club, social craft club and increasing the number of our Socialeyes facilitators.’

The Healing Music Trust arranges tours for professional musicians and performers to come to local care homes, hospitals, special-needs schools and other places where live music has therapeutic benefits.

Treasurer David Lihou said the donation was much appreciated.

‘It would cover the net costs of three tours on average,’ he said.

‘If we have a good year of fundraising, which we have had, we are able to add some fully subsidised locations. This year we have added two or three new venues for our tours.

‘We have a core group of corporate fundraisers who make an annual contribution and that is the basis of our fundraising.’

The Freemasons’ provincial communications officer Tony Le Tissier said the 570-strong membership donated a similar amount year after year.

‘Each charity received £9,200, one-fifth of the sum of £46,000 donated during the past year within the local masonic membership for distribution within the community,’ he said.

‘This total is typical of the amount we donate annually within Guernsey and is raised from our members – we do not raise money from the public.

‘Whilst charitable giving is not the principal focus of masonry, we are very proud of the consistency of generosity shown by our membership for such worthy local causes.

‘Many of our members are involved with island charities and their knowledge of and contact with other charities helps shape our decision making each year in identifying those deserving of our support.’