Gosport masons dig deep to raise cash for food bank

The Prince of Wales Lodge 1705, in Gosport, gave a cheque of £400 to the Gosport Basics Food Bank.

The money was raised by the lodge, based in Clarence Road, at the group’s annual lodge of instruction festival.

Attending the event were Graham Williams, deputy grand master of the masonic province of Hampshire and Isle of Wight, and David Perkis, assistant provincial grand master.

Members from the donating lodge and masons from 18 other lodges across the area also attended the festival.

The Gosport Basics Food Bank was chosen as the recipient of the donation due to the extra demand on resources over the festive period.

Run by Christian-based organisation the Friends of the Homeless, the food bank is an essential lifeline to many people.

Along with the Fareham branch, the food bank offers food and support to the homeless.

In the past 12 months it has provided over 1,630 food parcels, feeding an equivalent of over 3,200 people.

The cheque was presented by members of the lodge to Clive Erricker.

Ian Chase, from the lodge, says: ‘This time of year can be difficult.

‘A lot of people may start the year off fine but then find themselves in financial difficulty.

‘One of our members chose the food bank as he was interested in helping.

‘We do this sort of thing all the time as an organisation across the country.’

Phil Rutt, from the food bank, said the donation was amazing.

He adds: ‘It’s great how everyone in our community supports the food bank and the masons are part of that.

‘The donation will be very helpful in the long run to ensure that we get adequate stocks now.’