Cambridgeshire Freemasons have donated £10,000 to those in need over the Festive Season. Foodbanks across England and Wales are predicting an unprecedented demand for their services this Christmas, following the upheavals of the pandemic, continuing supply chain problems and rising fuel bills. The donations are expected to help around 4,500 people in seven foodbanks across Cambridgeshire during the Christmas period.
Masonic Lodges in March, Ely, Cambridge, Wisbech and Newmarket have donated towards this grant with fund matching and additional support from the Province of Cambridgeshire Charity for Care and Relief and the national Masonic Charitable Foundation, which is funded by Freemasons, their families and friends, from across England and Wales.
Food Hubs, Foodbanks and Community Lunches who have benefitted from the donation include: The Rosmini Centre in Wisbech; Ely Foodbank; March Community Fridge; Ely Community Lunches; St. Andrews Church Food Hub in Cherry Hinton; Newmarket Open Door Food Hub and the Wisbech Foodbank.
Anita Grodkiewicz MBE, Manager of the Rosmini Centre Wisbech said “We are delighted to receive this donation which will enable us to ensure that all our families receive extra food for the festive period. Christmas can be a very stressful time of year for some and a bumper food parcel can really make a difference - thank you for your support".
Karen Hardman, Vicar of St Andrews Church in Cherry Hinton, said, “Without this donation we did not know whether we would be able to sustain the Food Bank. This money means that we can continue with confidence until the end of the Summer Holidays, which for a small Charity is a long time. Our biggest challenges are not necessarily just getting donations of food but the administration and additional costs that come with running any charity such as staff costs, insurance and Personal Protective Equipment. This funding will also enable us to purchase a few special items for families such as Christmas Cake – something most of take for granted”.
John Sinclair from the Cambridgeshire Freemasons said: “I’m very pleased we’ve been able to help Cambridgeshire Foodbanks, Food Hubs and Community Lunches with their hugely important work over the festive season.
“We were able to support them during the pandemic and we’re happy to help them again during what will be a very difficult Christmas for the most vulnerable people in our community.”
ENDS
Notes to Editors
Montage Photo: Shows helpers and organisers at some of the Foodbanks, Hubs and Community Lunches.
Photos - are available separately, if required.
About Cambridgeshire Freemasonry:
The Masonic Province of Cambridgeshire is relatively small, with Masonic Centres in Cambridge, Ely, Newmarket, March, Chatteris, Whittlesey and Wisbech. There are around 1500 Freemasons and 30 individual lodges. We pride ourselves on our friendliness and inclusivity, with members drawn from all walks of life and professional backgrounds. We welcome enquiries from anyone who is curious about our values and our history.
More information is available on our website and enquiries should be directed to our Provincial Office in Cambridge via https://www.cambridgeshirefreemasons.org.uk/ or to our Provincial Information Officer:
Jon Cooper
About the Province of Cambridgeshire Charity for Care and Relief:
The Charity is constituted by Deed of Trust and is a Registered Charity, number275991. The objects of the Charity are to dispense funds for the benefit of poor and distressed masons of the Province of Cambridgeshire, Masonic Charities, and for other charitable institutions, societies, or objects. For more information please contact our Secretary, George Brennan on 01354 694596 or to
About the Masonic Charitable Foundation:
The Masonic Charitable Foundation (MCF) is one of the largest grant-making charities in the country. Funded entirely through the generosity of Freemasons and their families, the MCF awards millions of pounds each year to local and national charities that help vulnerable people, advance medical research and provide opportunities for young people. The MCF also helps to fund vital services such as hospices and air ambulances and regularly contributes to worldwide appeals for disaster relief. In total, MCF support helps to improve the lives of thousands of people every year in England, Wales and internationally. As well as providing grants to charities, the MCF supports Freemasons and their families with a financial, health or family need. Visit www.mcf.org.uk For further information about the Masonic Charitable Foundation, please contact Guy Roberts, Press Officer (