On Sunday 22nd of May, Cornish freemasons travelled to King Arthur’s Hall in Tintagel, to present £94,000 to 35 deserving Cornish Charities.

The annual event, which started in 2014, had not taken place for the past two years due to the pandemic, but after this imposed hiatus it was clear to all the importance of the day as it encapsulates one of the three grand principles that Freemasonry is founded on, that being charity.

All of Charities and guests received a warm welcome by Roger Cargeeg, the Deputy Provincial Grand Master In Charge under the direction of the Master of Ceremonies Mike Prichard, The Provincial Grand Charity Steward.

Alan Powell then proceeded to introduce each charity individually to receive their cheques, which were presented by either the Deputy Provincial Grandmaster or a representative from individual Lodges to much applause from the 130 people gathered in the baronial Hall.

 

L to R: Alison Richmond, Roger Cargeeg, Jo Scrimgeour,

Amongst the donations was £63,770 presented to Alison Richmond, Finance Director and Jo Scrimgeour, Early Years Lead, representing WILD Young Parents Projects, based in Redruth. The money will go towards providing whole-family service for young mums, dads, and their children, working with families to meet their individual needs and create a positive start to family life, for which the charity holds the Queen’s Award, Guardian Charity Award, and overall GSK Impact Award national winners in 2021.

Not only was it a day of giving, but it was also a day of receiving as the Provincial Grand Lodge of Cornwall was presented with a Bronze Donor certificate from Lifelites in recognition of the valuable contributions made, by Jane Maisey, the Head of Projects from Lifelites.

L to R: Roger Cargeeg, Jane Maisey- Head of Projects from Lifelites

 

Ross Lannon, who is a lifestyle and disability blogger and creator of ‘A life on Wheels’ which charts his journey through adulthood as a young man with Spinal Muscular Atrophy said: ‘The money received today will help massively. It will be a real boost for my online blog and help me purchase more equipment and take my media career to the next level. I cannot thank the members of Sir Humphry Davy Lodge enough for their generous donation.’

 

L to R: Roger Cargeeg and Ross Lannon

Following the presentations thanks were given to Ian Henwood for his hard work organising the day and the guests and Lodge members were then invited to enjoy a buffet and refreshments which had been prepared for them.

The afternoon was summed up by Roger Cargeeg, who said:

‘The Freemasons of Cornwall are incredibly pleased to have contributed £94,000.00 at the Annual Charity Day to local worthy causes based in Cornwall, particularly as so many of these charities are run by volunteers who freely give up their time to assist others.’

A full list of recipients along with individual Lodge donations are as follows:

The Merlin Project, Royal National Lifeboat Association (St Ives, The Lizard, Sennen and Padstow), Penzance Sea Cadets (Lodge Lyonesse), Disability Cornwall & Isles of Scilly, Kernow Young Carers (St Andrew Lodge), Lord Lieutenant’s Fund for Youth now and Talented Cornwall, St Petroc’s Society (Molesworth Lodge & Three Spires Lodge), Porthtowan Surf Life Saving Club, FLEET (Molesworth Lodge), Age UK – Cornwall (One and All Lodge), West Cornwall Women’s Aid (True and Faithful Lodge), National Coast Watch (Penhellaz Lodge), We Are With You – – formerly known as Addaction (Three Spires Lodge), Georgia’s Voice, Sowenna Appeal (Penhellaz Lodge), WILD Young Parents Project, Penzance YMCA, Motor Neurone Disease – Cornwall (St Anne’s Lodge), Hayle Day Care Centre, League of Friends Helston Community Hospital (True and Faithful Lodge), Play for Life at Treliske, Parkinson’s – Cornwall (St Anne’s Lodge), Kerrier District Guides (St Luke’s Lodge), Cornwall Blood Bike Service (St Gluvias Lodge), Lucas Walters Cornwall Scouts (Caradon Lodge), The Chestnut Appeal (Molesworth Lodge), Marie Curie Cancer Care, Macmillan Cancer Support, Cornwall Hospice Care (Molesworth Lodge), Children’s Hospice South West- Little Harbour, Lifelites, Cornwall Air Ambulance (Molesworth Lodge & Agricultural Lodge), Ross Lannon (Sir Humphry Davy Lodge), St Hydroc’s Church Green Appeal (One and All Lodge), Sport Cornwall Foundation