For two years, Essex Royal Arch Masons have supported 20 schools with a donation of £10,000, £500 to each school. These donations were made possible by the generosity of Essex Freemasons through Essex Mason Limited and the Essex Freemasons Community Fund.
Community involvement is part of ‘Service’, which is one of the four important values that help Freemasons define their path through life. Whether participating in events for a charitable cause or volunteering for public or community organisations, service is at the very heart of Freemasonry, and its members make valuable contributions by donating time, resources and skills. Supporting schools is an essential part of community involvement.
In 2022, Essex Royal Arch Masons donated £10,000 to 20 schools in Essex; in 2023, this was repeated to another 20 schools. However, for 2024, each school will be supported by a local Royal Arch Chapter with other resources. This support will take the form of financial donations, helping with projects, or supplying manpower. This will lead to an ongoing relationship between each school and a Royal Arch Chapter based at a local Masonic Centre.
Across the schools, the £500 each was given in 2022, and 2023 was used for a variety of projects to make the festive season more enjoyable for the children; these included:
- Enhanced festive dinners
- Support for children to go a pantomime
- To bring a pantomime into the school
- To pay for festive decorations
- To buy reading books as presents for each child
- To create a festive wonderland experience
- Plus more
It is planned that there will be continuing support for these schools, and how this support develops will be shared.
Paul Tarrant, the Provincial Grand Master of Essex Freemasons, said:
“These donations to schools in Essex are part of our support for the community and helping those in need. It is great to see the money being used so well for such a variety of projects.”
By clicking here, you will be taken to a delightful video at Shorefields, a special needs school in Clacton.
