Monday, 17 June 2024 08:26

Charities receive £100,000 in Bournemouth

Chris Lockwood, who heads the local Freemasons, and the Mayor of Bournemouth Cllr George Farquhar, hold the cheque with charity representatives and Freemasons Chris Lockwood, who heads the local Freemasons, and the Mayor of Bournemouth Cllr George Farquhar, hold the cheque with charity representatives and Freemasons

Local charities and good causes received cheques totalling almost £100,000 by Freemasons who meet in Bournemouth.

The town mayor, Cllr Geroge Farquhar, attended the Freemasonry in the Community event at which all the representatives of the good causes explained what they did. Cllr Farquhar received a cheque for one of his chosen charities; Every Paw Matters. Other recipients at the proceedings in Knole Road, Boscombe, included cancer groups, Macmillan Caring locally, Project Planet Earth, food banks and the Steve Bernard Foundation. Each year Freemasons donate vast amounts to one central charity of the organisation for distribution and individual lodges fundraise for their own charities. Every penny comes from members.

Cllr Farquhar said: “I was interested to learn about Freemasonry and the misconceptions about it. Freemasons are known as secretive but that dates form the war when Hitler was persecuting them. I am pleased they are coming back out into the light. It was a great deal of money to donate and hearing from all the charities it is clear what wonderful and important work goes on in Bournemouth. And I want to be able to use my platform to promote the charities and good causes.”

Chris Lockwood, who heads the Freemasons in Bournemouth and the New Forest, said: “It is always moving to hear from the charities and that really motivates us. A similar amount was donated in Lymington by New Forest and Christchurch lodges and we aim to continue. Charity is important for Freemasons and we also strive to make ourselves better people.“The more members we have the more money we can raise and I’d encourage men and women to consider becoming Freemasons.”

The total donated was £96,450.