Freemasons’ Hall Leicester hosted a wide range of charities and good causes from all over Leicestershire and Rutland, as £60,875 was presented by the Freemasons’ to benefit the local community and those in need. The donations were presented by the Provincial Grand Master, David Hagger, who was accompanied by the Lord Mayor of Leicester, Ross Grant.
Leicester based Reunite International who provide advice and support to parents whose children have been abducted overseas or parents accused of International parental abduction received a donation of £1,000 which will go towards the replacement of ageing telephone and computer systems. As explained by Reunites Holly Whatsize, Leicester is largest city outside of London where child abductions in these circumstances takes place, with 22 new cases in Leicester this year alone. Holly added: “We take on average 500 to 600 new cases each year”.
Chris Gatfield of the Dove Cottage Day Hospice, who provide day care respite for those suffering from terminal illnesses was presented with a donation of £6,800 to help support over 100 families a week who are suffering from cancer and other long term conditions throughout North West Leicestershire and Rutland.
Members of St Simon & St Jude Lodge No.8279 who meet at the Masonic Hall in Hinckley were pleased to join with the Masonic Charitable Foundation in presenting cheques totalling £5,800 to the Air Ambulance. Brian Moore from the Air Ambulance Service said: “the children’s helicopters transfer sick children from one hospital to another who specialises in that particular case”, he added: “the helicopters use fuel at a rate of £1 per mile”, to which these donations will greatly assist.
In closing the presentation service, the Lord Mayor said: “on behalf of the City of Leicester, I would like to thank the Freemasons’ for supporting all of the amazing charities here today”. The Provincial Grand Master, David Hagger summarised by thanking the Lord Mayor, all of the charities present, and those Freemasons’ involved in the fund raising efforts.