An open letter

16.07.2021

Issue 9: Spring/Summer 2021

Daily living costs, Eligibility, Support for Freemasons and families

Dear MCF,

I wanted to get in touch with you to thank you for all the support you’ve provided me over the last three years, and share my story with others.

As you know, three years ago my marriage to my husband of 20 years ended. I didn’t see it coming – one day he woke up, told me he didn’t love me anymore and left.

Although coming to terms with this loss has been extremely hard, I don’t have any animosity towards him. I would never want him to stay in a relationship that he wasn’t fully, wholeheartedly committed to and we’ve managed to build the foundations of a friendship since, for the sake of our son.

Although my ex-husband continues to provide child support, money has been tough since he left. We went from having his full-time income combined with my part-time income, to just my part-time income. The impact of losing this extra wage has been challenging to say the least and there have been times where I’ve struggled to put food on the table or pay the rent.

My ex-husband had spoken to me about the MCF, so I decided to get in touch to see whether I was still eligible for support now we had separated. The lady on the end of the phone immediately put me at ease, and I can’t thank her personally enough for the kindness she showed me. It meant a lot.

Thankfully you were able to help with my daily living costs and even gave my son a laptop during the lockdown last year to help him with his school work. The support – both financially and emotionally – has been the rock that I’ve needed to get through the last few years and I cannot put into words how grateful I am that you answered my call for help.

Yours sincerely,