Freemasons nationally are the largest contributors to Charity in the United Kingdom after The National Lottery.
Our organisation has an enviable record of providing regular and consistent financial support to individual charities over long periods while at the same time making thousands of grants to local charities, appeals and projects throughout England and Wales each year.

From its earliest days, Freemasonry, or 'The Craft', as it is known to its members, has provided support for many widows and orphans of Freemasons as well as for non-Masonic organisations within the community.

The monies raised for charity are drawn from amongst Freemasons, their families and friends, while grants and donations are made to Masonic and non-Masonic charities alike.

Over the past five years alone, Freemasonry has raised more than seventy five million pounds for a wide range of charitable purposes including those involved in medical research, community care, education and work involving young people.

In 1996, Cheshire Freemasons began a specific fund raising effort amongst their own members, families and friends towards a special 2005 Festival for the Royal Masonic Trust for Girls and Boys. A festival is a special event where the Freemasons from a specific region, in this case the Province of Cheshire, come together to raise money for a good cause.

The Freemasons of Cheshire raised the magnificent sum of £5,650,918 - almost two million pounds more that was anticipated. This was donated to Royal Masonic Trust for Girls and Boys.

If you would like to know more about the Charitable works carried out nationally by Freemasons, click on this link to The Grand Charity: http://www.grandcharity.co.uk/main.htm 

The Macclesfield Masons 

On Wednesday 24th January 2007, The Macclesfield Masonic Hall was honoured by an official visit by Macclesfield's First Citizen, the Worshipful the Mayor of Macclesfield, Councillor Jim Crockatt, accompanied by the Mayoress, Mrs Crockatt.

Prior to an official luncheon, the Mayoress handed over an impressive donation of almost £6000 to Andrea Mountney, the fundraiser of The East Cheshire Hospice, which was raised by the Masons.

The Mayor spoke on the excellence of the work carried out by the Hospice and the magnificent sum generously donated by the Masons to this very worthy cause.

Miss Mountney also took the opportunity to thank the members of the Whiston Lodge, who made a separate donation to the Hospice earlier this year.

Pictured with the Mayor and Mayoress are Andrea Mountney from The East Cheshire Hospice, and Harry Wright, the Divisional Chairman of the Macclesfield Masons.

Freemasons Teddies

TEDDIES FOR LOVING CARE (TLC) 

The Masonic TLC appeal provides for small Teddy bears to be given by Accident and Emergency Medical staff to distressed children in the A&E unit. Freemasons provide the Teddy bears to local hospitals and more than 85,000 Teddy bears have already been distributed.

The teddies, which are supplied by the local Freemasons, are given out by the medical staff, as a calming measure, to children who have suffered trauma or are in distress. The children are able to take the bears home with them after their stay in hospital.

Freemasons fund the bears by buying a teddy lapel badge or teddy key ring. Each sale allows the purchase two teddies, which are then donated to A&E departments.

The beneficial effects of the teddies within A&E units has helped relieve the stress and fear the child may feel by being treated by complete strangers and assists the clinical staff in their urgent work. Staff know that a teddy to cuddle will help alleviate that distress and that it serves as a reward for being brave. It also helps relieve the distress of the parents and siblings during what is often a very traumatic time.

A quote from one Sister at The Accident & Emergency Department of Macclesfield General Hospital;  “I cannot remember how we used to cope with these children before the Teddies".

Many children who have received these teddies treat them as very special toys. One little girl who suffered serious burns named her teddy “Burnie” ! Another calls her teddy “Mason". Where the child returns to hospital for further treatment, more often than not the teddy accompanies them. Their teddy seems to provide them with confidence and reassurance. The Teddy appeal has raised the level of public awareness of the contribution made to the local community by Freemasons.