A CHESHIRE group which has donated £1 million to good causes over the past 12 months has vowed to continue giving during the coronavirus pandemic.

Head of the Cheshire Freemasons, Stephen Blank, has confirmed his commitment on behalf of all Cheshire Freemasons, to continue to support local and national good causes during these testing times and beyond.

Stephen was reflecting on a celebratory evening held at the start of the year where he welcomed a number of local dignitaries, charity representatives and voluntary workers to share stories of how the organisations benefited from the £1million donated by Cheshire Freemasons over the past 12 months or so.

Stephen said: “That was then and this is now; it’s hard to believe that since that event, so much has changed, but I would like to be clear, one thing that hasn’t is our determination and resolve to support organisations that need financial help during these difficult times.

"Freemasons are well known for their support of those in need, last year alone giving around £48 million to charities and good causes, putting Freemasonry into the top 10 of grant making organisations in the UK.

"We will continue to play our part in Cheshire and I know my colleagues around the country will do the same."

Looking back at happier times, senior Freemason Harry Wright, who works closely with Stephen and others to ensure funds are distributed across the county and further afield, said: “The celebration evening was a great success and was well attended by many recipients including national charities, numerous hospices, Merseyside and Cheshire Blood Bikes."

From the Chester area , the following organisations were just some of those highlighted as having received funding and/or support:

  • Countess of Chester Hospital Chester
  • Hospice of Good Shepherd Chester
  • Cathedral Chester
  • Tilston Village Hall Tilston Nr Malpas
  • Cheshire Scouts
  • Police Community Clubs
  • Prostate Testing
  • Young Minds Matter
  • Helping the Homeless into Housing
  • Alzeimers Society
  • Hearing Dogs
  • Epilepsy UK

Harry added: "All were very grateful and keen to show their appreciation, and in turn, we had the opportunity to thank many of those organisations who work so hard and do amazing work day in and day out.

"Of course what’s important now is that we all work together and continue to support those doing such excellent work."

During the celebration evening, Stephen presented a cheque to Sarah Page, local fundraising manager for Macmillan, who said: “A huge thank you to The Freemasons for their support...this means Macmillan can now be there for even more patients affected by cancer."

Stephen added: “Freemasons are not a charity themselves and do not collect money from the public, but every Lodge makes collections from its members for charitable use and this soon adds up, there being about 4,000 Cheshire Freemasons.

"Some of the funds go directly to charities and good causes, some to local charitable organisations and some to the Freemasons national charity, which then gives money to both national and international good causes.

"Our members, like so many others, are working hard across their communities and as an organisation, we are doing the same.

“Like so many organisations, our meetings are currently suspended, but I am proud to advise that our charitable donations continue."