My 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.