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The masonic season is now in full swing, and we are profoundly grateful for the incredible support we continue to receive from Freemasons across England, Wales, and the Channel Islands. Their outstanding fundraising efforts not only demonstrate their commitment to our cause but also significantly enhance our ability to support those in need through the Masonic Charitable Foundation (MCF, the Freemasons’ charity).

The Role of Festivals in Fundraising

Fundraising for the MCF takes many forms, but the primary driver is Festivals hosted by various Provinces. These Festivals typically span a five-year period, during which Freemasons in each Province engage in a variety of events and activities to raise money. They also actively share how the MCF assists local Freemasons, their families, and their communities.

Each year, we have four Festivals concluding and four launching, with approximately 20 Provinces participating at any given time. This means that nearly half of the Provinces across the country are undertaking monumental efforts to raise funds and awareness for the MCF.

Staffordshire 2024 Festival

Staffordshire Freemasons have made an exceptional contribution, raising over £1.8 million for the MCF. This equates to an average of £804 per person—a spectacular result for which we are profoundly thankful.

A fundraising highlight from Staffordshire was the inspiring journey of Mark Sewell. Thirteen years ago, Mark faced a life-altering bike accident that left him unable to walk. Through countless hours of hard work and determination, he defied the odds to regain his mobility. On 6 July, he returned to the same motorbike and track to complete one lap, using the event to raise funds for the MCF as a gesture of gratitude for the support he received during his rehabilitation. Thank you, Mark, for your incredible courage and generosity.

Monmouthshire 2024 Festival

Monmouthshire Freemasons have made a heroic effort in their recently concluded Festival, raising over £1.1 million for the MCF. This achievement resulted in the highest per-person contribution to date, with an impressive £976 per member. We are incredibly grateful for their dedication and generosity.

A fundraising highlight from them was getting one of their members to perform as Elvis.

Northamptonshire and Huntingdonshire 2024 Festival

Northamptonshire and Huntingdonshire Freemasons have been outstanding in their efforts, raising over £2.5 million. With an average contribution of £828 per person, we extend our heartfelt thanks to everyone involved.

Demonstrating creativity in their fundraising, they launched a Festival Ale, where 20p from each pint or bottle sold contributed towards their Festival goal. This inventive approach not only raised funds but also fostered camaraderie and community spirit. We thank the Province for their support.

Cornwall 2024 Festival

Cornwall Freemasons have recently concluded their fundraising Festival with an amazing total of over £1 million for the MCF. Exceptional efforts were undertaken by Freemasons and their family members alike. One such example is Rosie Trevains, who ran the London Marathon not once but twice, in both 2023 and 2024. We are extremely grateful for the dedication and hard work of everyone involved in Cornwall.

Conclusion

Thanks to the fundraising efforts of these Provinces and those currently in Festival, we can support over 4,000 Freemasons and their families, with over £10 million in grants. Additionally, we make a wider impact in the community by providing more than 450 grants to charities every year, with a value over £6 million.

We want to express our deepest gratitude to all those who fundraise for the MCF and to those who donate to our cause. Without your unwavering support, we would not be able to provide assistance to those who rely on our help. We would like to wish continued success to the ongoing festivals, the upcoming conclusions, and in their approaching launches.