Hampshire Freemasons raise £1.3m for charity - with help from The News in Portsmouth

The financial feat has been outlined in the annual report to members of the Provincial Grand Lodge of Hampshire and Isle of Wight. And special mention mention was made of how The News teamed up with the Freemasons to launch Community Chest – a cash pot handing out grants for deserving one-off projects or to help kick-start longer term initiatives.

The final round of fundraising is now underway and nominations are being invited by charities and local organisations who, if successful, will receive their awards at the chest’s last handover event at the Fareham Masonic Centre on Saturday, October 15.

A special report on the partnership, included in the annual round-up for members, outlined how Community Chest was born out of fundraising raffles run during lockdown by Portsmouth Freemasons Graham Lant, Sue Lant, Andrew Coombs and Colin Ratley. As the pandemic came to an end, Graham and his team were looking at ways of how they might continue with the initiative when The News editor Mark Waldron raised the opportunity to work in partnership.

Other donations given by the lodge in the past year included £25,000 to Age Concern Hampshire, £20,000.to Alabaré Christian Care and Support, which provides care for homeless veterans, £26,980 to The Rowans Hospice and £1,000 to Portsmouth Down Syndrome Association

In the report, Provincial Grand Master Jonathan Whitaker said: ‘Since we launched our fundraising Festival, I have been humbled and inspired at meeting a number of charities and presenting them with significant donations from our own funds. It is truly worthwhile work and we really do make a difference.’

Community Chest grants have already been given to youth support group Motiv8, food provider Cosham Larder, the Solent MS Therapy Centre, the Multiple Sclerosis Society, MHA Communities Gosport and Fareham, The Rainbow Centre and Fareham Monday Club. The initiative has also received the support of local mayors and MPs, including Portsmouth North’s Penny Mordaunt and Gosport’s Dame Caroline Dinenage.

Charities and local groups, or those who have benefitted from services they provide, are welcome to apply for funding from across the News circulation area for the remaining grants, although those from Fareham borough will be looked on favorably after the last two events have mainly focused on Portsmouth, Havant and Gosport.

Roger Maber, Communications Officer of Hampshire and Isle of Wight Freemasons, said: ‘Our Community Chest partnership with The News has successfully highlighted the

contribution Hampshire and Isle of Wight Freemasons make to the community and many other charitable causes. All the monies given are directly from the pockets of the

Freemasons and their families.’

Mr Waldron added: ‘I was previously unaware of the charitable side of the Freemasons and I am glad that our Community Chest initiative has played its own special part in their fundraising endeavours. We only have one round of grants left inside the Community Chest and I urge all good causes and charities and to let us know why they would like some money to improve the lives of people within their communities.’

To apply, send details about the group, what the money would be for, and how this would benefit the local community to [email protected]