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Many callers to our Freephone enquiry line focus on the most urgent issue they are facing, such as a missed mortgage payment or a long wait for an operation. Often, they don’t mention any additional problems they are experiencing as a result.

We know that problems don’t arise one at a time, so you don’t need to choose which of the problems you are facing is most important. We know that illness affects much more than your health while the effects of a reduced income reach further than your bank balance. We are here to help in any way we can.

When dealing with life’s unexpected challenges, it can be difficult to know where to start. Whether you’ve been made redundant, lost your partner or received a medical diagnosis, the knock-on effects often reach all areas of family life. Sometimes, callers to our Freephone enquiry line are unaware of the full range of support available, or they don’t want to ask for too much at once. Our experienced staff are trained to listen and ask the right questions in order to identify all the ways that we can make your life a little easier.

Robert, a Freemason, first turned to us for financial help following a medical diagnosis.

“Immediately after I was diagnosed with terminal bowel cancer, I was admitted to hospital for treatment. We’ve always been a month-to-month family and, being self-employed, I was worried how we would pay that month’s bills. My brother and lodge Almoner got in touch with the MCF on my behalf. The charity provided an emergency payment before later assisting with a longer term grant. This instantly lifted a huge weight from my shoulders.”

It was only after Robert returned home that a representative of the MCF visited him and he realised additional support was available for his children.

“The MCF provides termly grants to support my two step-children who are studying for their GCSEs, and my daughter who is studying sociology at university. All three are doing well and it’s reassuring to know that whatever happens to me, support for all three children will continue for as long as they are in education.”

Sadly, Robert passed away earlier this year but we will continue to support his family for as long as they need us.