Disaster relief
Freemasons Give £10,000 for Yorkshire flood victims
Yorkshire Freemasons have donated £10,000 to help people affected by the floods following Storm Ciara. The money is being donated to Calderdale Lighthouse and the Community Foundation for the Calderdale Flood Appeal by the Province of Yorkshire West Riding.
Storm Ciara damages homes and businesses
The appeal will support families and local people who have been displaced from their homes and had their property damaged by severe flood waters. The cause was the unprecedented rainfall which accompanied Storm Ciara, causing the River Calder to rise to a height of 16 feet, three feet higher than ever previously recorded.
In Hebden Bridge, Mytholmroyd and Sowerby Bridge, residents are dealing with ruined shop stock or seeing their personal possessions thrown out into the street as the damage from the latest storm starts to be cleared up.
Freemasons offer assistance
Freemasons are being asked to assist anyone in distress caused by the floods. In the past, Masonic Halls have opened their doors to provide temporary shelter and a hot meal, and are being asked to do the same again.
David S Pratt, the Provincial Grand Master of the Province of Yorkshire West Riding, said:
“It’s very depressing that these latest floods have hit our communities before damage from the last flood has been dealt with. Nonetheless, I’m very pleased that Freemasons have been able to move so fast to provide help to those who’ve been so badly affected.
“My thoughts are with everyone who’s dealing with the utter despair caused by clearing up and the time it takes to repair their homes.”
Masonic Charitable Foundation donates £5,000
The £10,000 grant from Yorkshire, West Riding Freemasons includes £5,000 from the Masonic Charitable Foundation. It follows a previous grant of £15,000 for Yorkshire flood victims at the end of last year.
Flood warnings continue
Numerous flood warnings are in place across Yorkshire and many other parts of the country as rain continues to fall. Freemasons are monitoring the situation and further grants may be made to help those in need.
