Masonic Charitable Foundation 2022 Oxfordshire Festival
£900,000 already raised
£1million is within sight.
“It’s the final countdown”
Brethren we have now broken the £900k barrier and are hopefully on the home straight heading for that £1million marker. It’s time to raid the Lodge Relief Chest for the last time and ensure that Oxfordshire Freemasons do themselves proud.
We are asking, that where possible, Relief Chest donations are received before the end of July. This will enable us to ensure that the administration process is completed in good time and that Lodges are credited accordingly.
To date the honorifics achieved by individual Lodges are:
| Platinum | 1 Lodge |
| Gold | 3 Lodges |
| Silver | 17 Lodges |
| Bronze | 9 Lodges |
It would be fantastic if we could have the majority of our Lodges on the roll of honour.
Since we started our Festival back in 2017 Freemasons and their families, within our Province, have been supported with grants totalling over £328,000. It has been used in many ways, including:
53 families that have been assisted with daily living costs
47 grants for health, care and wellbeing have been given
26 grants that have gone to children, young people and education
Also, local Charities have received support with grants totalling over £500,000. It’s fair to say that the vast majority of the money that we have put into our Festival will be distributed amongst local Freemasons and local communities, another good reason to support the appeal.
In the last year alone the MCF has donated £20.5m to charitable causes. The past 12 months have seen a grand total of £51m being distributed to charitable causes by the MCF and UGLE Freemasonry, with £4.7m going to COVID-19 support. Just recently £50k was sent through the British Red Cross to support Ukrainian refugees, with another £250,000 to follow shortly.
Brethren, let’s have a last big push and break that £1million barrier, don’t delay – this really is the final countdown.
Festival Finale
Saturday 3rd September 2022, is the date of our Oxfordshire MCF Festival Finale which will be held at the Oxford Town Hall. We are planning a memorable extravaganza to mark the end of five years of fund raising. It will be an evening of dining and dancing to live music in a wonderful setting. Places are limited so please book early to avoid disappointment.
We have received a number of offers, from individuals and Lodges, to be sponsors of the Finale event, these have been gratefully accepted. If you, or you Lodge, would like to be an official sponsor please contact Paul Buck at pgdc@oxfordshirefreemasons.org for more details.
ONLINE AUCTION
In the build up to the finale of our MCF Festival we plan to hold an exclusive on-line auction that will be open to our members, their families and friends. We aim to provide a number of top end lots as well as a wide selection of desirable items.
To enable us to maximise the amount that we will be able to contribute to our charity we are requesting that if any brother has a suitable “wow” item that they would like to donate they get in contact with either myself,(dpgm@oxfordshirefreemasons.org) or our Provincial Charity Steward W.Bro Andrew Keech, (charity@oxfordshirefreemasons.org).
Reserved prices can be included. We are working with a professional company who will showcase all items to their maximum potential.
Any donations will be gratefully received.
If there are any questions or queries, please contact:
V.W.Bro Graham Ellis dpgm@oxfordshirefreemasons.org W. Bro Andrew Keech charity@oxfordshirefreemasons.org
Brethren, as always thank you for your continued support and generosity.
Graham
Graham Ellis
Festival Chairman