Charity
Introduction from the Provincial Grand Charity StewardMy name is John Wright of St.Edburgha Chapter 4621, and I have the honour of being the current Provincial Grand Charity Steward.
In 2016 the MEGS asked me to take on this office, explaining that the Province was to set up its own individual Charity fund with the object of providing financial support or otherwise to those local community and small charities within our area who rely solely upon the generosity of donations, such as our own convocation alms collections, to continue their good works. With no longer any Governmental support or the power of national fund raising many of these local good causes struggle to continue.
However, with the additional contribution of Gift Aid, wherever possible, we can add a further 25% to the money you raise, thereby making a difference whenever we can.So with the Provincial Grand Chapter Charity Fund set up, and registered by the Charity Commission, we organised the “Red Envelopes” for use by our Chapters, when collecting their Alms, to enable this Gift Aid to be claimed and added to whichever charity the Chapter requests the collection to go to.
I am grateful to all those Chapters who send in their alms collection via the Gift Aid scheme, to the office in Bromsgrove, with the request for the money to go to the Provincial Charity Fund. This has so far enabled the Fund Trustees to make grants to a variety of local causes, all of which have been “nominated” by our Chapters themselves.
May I thank all those who make this office of Provincial Grand Charity Steward such an honour to serve in and please continue to support your local community good causes and small charities through “The Provincial Grand Chapter of Worcestershire Charity Fund”.
Should any Chapter Charity Steward or other representative wish to forward suggestions as to future beneficiaries from the Provincial Charity Fund or to get more “Red” Gift Aid envelopes please contact me via the PGL Office in Bromsgrove.
John Wright - Provincial Grand Charity Steward
- Latest Provincial Royal Arch Charity NewsFrom around the Province of Worcestershire
Companions will be well aware that at all Installation Convocations the Presiding Officer will mention the Provincial Grand Chapter Charity Fund and the need to receive requests from Chapters and Companions who wish to support the small local Charities where £500 - £1,000 will make a considerable difference. To provide you with some ideas of how this money is allocated and spent we publish those donations that have been made since March of this year.
In March the Deputy Grand Superintendent was pleased to present a cheque for £500 from the Provincial Grand Chapter Charity Fund to Muddy Boots Ground Care.
E Comp John Yeates with Kate Bennet, CAB Manager
The Albert Middleton Community Association sits close to Kings Heath Masonic Hall and is a “phoenix” rising from the ashes of the City Council Community Centre that was forced to cease its effectiveness by the financial cuts made over the last few years. The local residents have rallied together and the “new” Community Association is drawing people together again and restoring a sense of “ownership” back in the local area.
E. Comp. Steve Middleditch of Remembrance Chapter proposed the Community Association to the Provincial Chapter Fund so that their idea of helping them “break through” the isolation that the 60 residents of Alcester Gardens are now experiencing since the withdrawal by the City Council of their Warden controlled Centre.
The Deputy Grand Superintendent presents a cheque to Stuart Jenkins, Secretary of FastAid (Birmingham and Solihull).
The Dep Grand Supt E.Comp Mike Taylor is seen here with E.Comps Paul Masters & Mike Wakeman along with the Muddy Boots Team.
From a request by E. Comp. Peter Davies of Vernon Chapter a donation of £400 was made to Wyre Forest CAB in April to Kate Bennett, Manager of the Kidderminster based CAB by E. Comp. John Yeates. The Second Provincial Grand Principal.
Whilst much of the CAB budget is funded by County & District Councils the cumulative effect of cuts has created a deficit to its finances of over £13,000. This totally independent advice centre has a constant requirement to train new volunteers to obtain the necessary skills to continue its growing requirement in the Province.
E Comps John Wright and Steve Middleditch with the Association's Committee
Companions will be aware that at all of our Provincial Chapter Meetings we are supported by a Community First Aid Responder provided by FastAid (Birmingham & Solihull). Established in 2005 this organisation trains volunteers to a nationally recognised medical standard to provide life saving treatment to people in the local community.
Their vehicles are fitted out with full medical facilities to enable them to provide the necessary support until the Ambulance Service arrives. The Deputy Grand Superintendent carried out one of his last duties in presenting a cheque to Stuart Jenkins, Secretary of FastAid (Birmingham and Solihull).
Who have we helped so far?
Some of the beneficiaries of YOUR generosity!
Grants already made
Headway – the brain injury association
- Headway Black Country
- Headway WorcestershireFriends of Young Achievers – Sandwell
Side by Side Theatre Group – Stourbridge
Cherry Oak School – Selly Oak, Birmingham
Fort Royal Community School – Worcester
Worcester MS Society - Worcester
Muddy Boots Ground Care – Stourport on Severn
Wyre Forest Citizens Advice Bureau – Kidderminster
Albert Middleton Community Assoc. – Kings Heath, Birmingham
FastAid – Community First Responders – Solihull & Birmingham
Grants agreed (Presentations to be done)
Acorns Children’s Hospice – Worcester
CC Saving Heads Foundation – Redditch
Basement Project – Bromsgrove
Rory the Robot – Prostrate Cancer Treatment – Worcester AHT
Diabetic Home Care Team – Birmingham Children’s Hospital
Teenage Cancer Trust – Birmingham Children’s Hospital
Acts of Kindness – Redditch Foodbank – Redditch
Sandwell Young Carers – Sandwell
Wyre Forest Young Voices – Kidderminster
First Responders – Herford & Worcs – Worcester
The Stonehouse Gang – Selly Oak, Birmingham
Wyre Forest Dial-a-Ride – Stouport & Kidderminster
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