Charity Report - September 2024

During the summer, thanks to your continued support of the Bristol Masonic Benevolent Fund we have been able to make charitable donations of £250 to Bristol Baby Bank and the North Bristol and South Gloucestershire Food Bank and the Keynsham Food Bank.

We have also made a donation to the Province of Oxfordshire of £1,000 for their Festival. As a province, we are too small to undertake our own festival, so through your donations we are able to assist other Provinces in raising much needs funds for their charity festivals.

To further assist the Province of Oxfordshire, the Province has purchased a number of Festival Lapel Badges which can be purchased from me at a cost of £10. I am sure that you will look forward to me approaching you to purchase one or transfer £10 to the account details at the end of this Charity Report.

Royal Air Force Bomb Disposal Memorial

A letter of thanks was received from Bro. Phil Pitcher for the donations received from the Province and Dunckerley Mark Lodge towards the £10,000 needed for a new memorial at the National Memorial Arboretum. The dedication and unveiling service taking place on the 21st February 2024.

Bristol Baby Bank Network

During the summer, as a Province we have continued to support the Bristol Baby Bank Network. A charity redistributing pre-loved baby and children items to families in need. This Bristol charity celebrated a significant milestone of supporting 10,000 families since it was started ten years ago.

200 Club

The 200 Club is one of our main sources of raising funds to boost the Bristol MBF so we are able to make donations to deserving Charities.

The draw for the first 200 Club took place after Provincial Grand Lodge in May and the first three winners of the draw were:

£100 W Bro. Paul Corder

£25 W Bro. Tim Brunton

£25 W Bro. George Hart

There will be two more 200 Club draws this Masonic season prior to April 2025. It is not too late to purchase a number for the draw, there are plenty of number still available, each number is £10, and the purchase will get you into the next two draws.

For those of you who have yet to subscribe or wish to increase your stake for a 200 Club number, please make a donation, Bank details below – reference 200 Club

Donations can be made as follows: -

BACS Payment to: ‘Bristol MBF’ – Sort Code 30-92-13 – Account No. 00270670

Cheques can be made out to: ‘Bristol MBF’

Donations to future support our current charities and those in the future can be made via the below QR Code to the Bristol Mark Masons Charity Chest (MMM2116). If you are a tax payer, donations via the QR code can attract an additional 25% from the Government.

Sincerely and Fraternally

W Bro. Phil Harrill

Bristol Provincial Charity Steward

Charity Report - March 2024

Recently, our Provincial Grand Secretary, W Bro. Rhys Hughes attended Southmead Hospital to present a cheque from the MBF sponsored by the Bristol Mark for £18,654, being the final amount for the purchase of a Special Microscope.

Together with R W Bro. Derek Thomas, and R W Bro. David Powell, MBF Trustees, W Bro. Rhys Hughes attended the demonstration of the Synaptic Modus X Robotic Microscope event on Friday 8th March at Southmead Hospital.

The microscope is cutting edge technology for use in neurosurgery. It is one of only two such microscopes in Europe. The MBF Donation was timely, as it saved the Hospital having to fund an imminent £100,000 price rise.

The technology will provide improved optics for surgeons. Also, due to the ability to project high quality images onto a large screen, improved teamwork within the theatre. This incredible equipment will support more detailed surgery and help to reduce patient time in hospital, enabling more patients to be seen throughout the year.

Consultant surgeon Mr Mario Teo and the Charity Managers were extremely grateful for the support the MBF was able to provide to fund this equipment. This support will benefit so many people within communities across the country.

A Message from our Provincial Grand Charity Steward

Brethren

Thank you for supporting our Charitable efforts over the past five years.

Now that I am a resident of Falmouth, Cornwall I am not able to support the St. Peter’s Hospice “tour de Bristol”.

However, in May I intend to cycle from Cornwall’s South Coast to the North Coast and back. I hope some of you will consider sponsoring me for this ‘last act’ whilst I still hold the Charity Steward’s Collar for Bristol Mark. It will also be a worthwhile donation to a Charity that has looked after many members of our Degree and their families.

For those of you who have yet to subscribe for a 200 Club number, please consider doing so before the first draw at our Provincial Grand Lodge meeting on Saturday 18th May.

W Bro. Brian Hamley

Charity Report - February 2024

Brethren

Following the February meeting of the John Platts Lodge, we welcomed two representatives of St. Peter’s Hospice to Park Street. Both Molly O’Donoghue and Peter Lee were given a guided tour of our magnificent building by our PGM Rt. W. Bro. Stephen Rawlings and the Pr.G.J.W. Phillip Harrill. Our guests were then presented with a cheque for £500 by Rt. W. .Bro. Stephen as a continuation of the support we have provided to this most worthy cause.

Bristol Mark ‘200 Club’

Thank you to those who have signed up to the 2024 ‘200 Club’.

There is still an opportunity to subscribe for one or more numbers, at £10 per number.

The first draw will take place on 18th May, following the Annual meeting of Provincial Grand Lodge, during the After-meeting.

Payments to the ‘200 Club’ can be made either by BACS or Cheque, or as an alternative, please consider setting up a Standing Order for the ‘200 Club’ or for making regular donations to the Bristol MBF.

Thank you.

W. Bro. Brian Hamley,

Bristol Mark Charity Steward.

Charity Report - January 2024

 Brethren

Welcome to the New Year, I hope you have all enjoyed the Festive period, and I wish you a Happy, Healthy and Prosperous New Year.

Food Banks

An astounding and depressing fact was revealed to me during the break. The United Kingdom is joint 30th with India in the world, for the percentage of the families in Food Poverty. Nearly 20% of families in this country of ours are relying on Food Banks; many more are subsisting just above that level. With our PGMs permission, we have donated an extra £250 to both the Keynsham and North Bristol Food Banks.

We have also contributed an extra £250 for the Bristol Baby Bank, that supports the many families faced with the sad situation of struggling to feed and clothe their young children.

We have had a charity recommended by one of our Brethren, and that is the Bristol Children’s Help Society. It was established in 1884 and has been awarded the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service. This Charity helps disadvantaged children gain life experiences away from their family base. It has residential accommodation courses and runs various courses. Please see www.bartoncamp.org for a full list of activities. Although this is based near Winscombe, most of the children who attend are from Bristol. We have donated £250 to this Charity.

Baldwyn Lodge Donation

At their October Installation meeting, £125 was raised and donated to the GWAAC in memory of R W Bro. Phil Patrick.

The 200 Club

Brethren, with consideration of the financial demands of the two Festivals now running in The Craft, we have decided to reduce the costs of numbers for the 200 Club. Each number will now cost £10, we would hope that you continue with the same subscription as in previous years, but you would have double the chances of winning a draw. Those of you who have not participated previously, I hope you will take this opportunity to join the club, support the Charity Work of our Province and maybe win a prize. There will still be 3 draws per year, the prizes will be £100 and two at £25.

As before, subscriptions can be made by either BACS or Cheques Payable to Bristol MBF.

I wish to thank those members who continue to support the Bristol MBF on a regular basis. If you would like to consider setting up a Standing Order, please use the same BACS details and confirm to myself via email.

Brethren, if you are facing financial hardship or know of a Brother who is, please contact W Bro Reginald Bleaden our Provincial Almoner. The Bristol MBF is there to help you if necessary.

Best Wishes

W Bro. Brian Hamley

Bristol Mark Provincial Charity Steward