Charity

A On Saturday 15th November, the Mark Province of Worcestershire held a Ladies Charity Event at the Holiday Inn Birmingham, Bromsgrove, the chosen supported charity being Prostate Cancer UK.

This was a well-attended occasion, which was enjoyed by all attending, with good food and wine.

After the meal, great live entertainment was provided by local rock band Autumn, who kept the dance floor very busy.  During the musical interval, a raffle was held with a great selection of prizes.  This was followed by a Charity Auction of a week’s stay for two at Jeff Whiteley’s villa in Fuerteventura.  The Auction was controlled by Paul Palmer with enthusiasm and much gusto, with bids going backwards and forwards between those keen on the prize.

On the night, the event raised an amazing £2,500, with donations still coming in, for the chosen charity of Prostate Cancer UK.

Many thanks to Jeff and Debbie for a most enjoyable and successful evening, and a big thank you to all who attended to support this worthwhile cause.

A cheque from the Mark Benevolent Fund for a little over £19,000 for the purchase of a new motorcycle was presented to the Midland Freewheelers Blood Bikes by R W Bro Eric Rymer, the Provincial Grand Master for Worcestershire, accompanied by W Bro John Fleming, Provincial Grand Charity Steward.

The Midland Freewheelers provide an emergency motorcycle rider service operating 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, serving Hospitals and other NHS facilities throughout the West Midlands as well as the Midlands Air Ambulance.

Receiving the cheque was the Chairman of the MFW, Lorraine Gough, accompanied by the fleet manager, Geoff Gough, and a number of volunteer riders. The picture is of the new motorcycle which is named “Prince Michael of Kent” and has on its sides logos of the Mark Benevolent Fund and The Grand Lodge of Mark Master Masons.

A cheque from the Mark Benevolent Fund for a little over £58,200 for the purchase of a minibus was presented by R.W.Bro Eric Rymer the Provincial Grand Master for Worcestershire accompanied by W.Bro. John Fleming Provincial Grand Charity Steward to Paul Gough a Director and the Chair of Trustees of Priory Park Boxing Club.

The visit’s both to the Priory Park Community School and the Boxing club were inspirational event’s which were enjoyed by all who attended.

The Minibus will provide transport for the collection of pupils attending the Community School, in addition to allowing the boxing club members to attend competitions located around the country.

What do Mark Masons do, you ask? Well, today they celebrated donations of more than £691,000.00 to the Blood Bikes charities across the country, to buy new motorcycles and cars to provide this invaluable and free service supporting the NHS and Air Ambulance. 

How does emergency blood, plasma, breast milk and so much more get where it’s needed and when it is needed? Blood Bikes is the answer!

The riders and drivers turn out, come rain or shine and day or night, voluntarily, to serve those most in need.

Here are some of the Midlands team celebrating with me the donation to buy another much needed motorbike! 

In attendance were a number of Grand and Provincial Officers, together with the Deputy PGM, W Bro Paul A Yarnell and Assistant PGM, W Bro Mark J Winfield.  Our incoming PGM, V W Bro Revd Justiin T Parker, was also in attendance.

During the meeting and Festive Board, a number of presentations were made to the PGM to thank him for his hard work and devotion to the Worcestershire Province for the last ten years. The main presentation made from the Brethren of the Province was a cheque to book a Fishing Trip to the River Tweed in Scotland.

Wheelchair Rugby! It’s crazily fast, fun and looks absolutely terrifying. It’s also much enjoyed by wheelchair users across the country, not to mention their families, friends and supporters.

Who funds and supports it? It’s those darned Mark Masons again! The Mark Benevolent Fund has made a major grant of more than £573,000.00 to the sport nationally.

Another reason to celebrate and some good news!

A Lovely Note from Wild Goose Training:

“We are very fortunate to have George Simpson as our patron. His dedication and compassion towards the work we are doing is very much appreciated. Following a meeting with George we discussed the need for a new classroom and workshop at our centre. As one of Worcestershire’s leading centres providing day services for disabled adults the new classroom represented a much-needed place for our students to learn and work.

George approached the Mark Charitable Foundation on our behalf and following a robust application process, supported by George I am pleased to say we were successful and received a grant that allowed us to build the classroom and fit it out to a high specification.

As CEO of the charity, I must extend a big thanks to The Mark Charitable Foundation and George for their hard work, dedication to those in need and generosity.”