Northumberland Freemasons held a special evening at Newcastle East Masonic Hall to present more than £125,000 to charities and deserving projects throughout the region.
The Trustees of the Richard Henry Holmes Benevolent Fund meets twice per year in March and October to consider any requests for financial help and support from local and worthy causes in Northumberland, Newcastle and North Tyneside. Awards totalling a staggering £125,000 to 47 recipients were presented at the evening with invited guests enjoying a buffet and talks from some of the charities present.
Tritlington farmer, Ian Craigs, the Provincial Grand Master of Northumberland was delighted that so many good causes had benefited from the charity donations.
Charity is at the very heart of freemasonry and as well as helping others internationally and nationally we are pleased to be able to help good causes much closer to home. The donations will help many people and organisations ranging from £350 for a school trip to a Roman Fort to £15,610 for Hexham Priory School to build a new sensory room for the well-being of their pupils.
Ian Craigs, Provincial Grand Master
This kind donation from the Freemasons of Northumberland will create a sensory room for our students who all have learning difficulties. The sensory room will benefit our students creating a stimulating learning environment. It will also be an area where the pupils can relax and enjoy a different sensory experience. We are very grateful
Sarah Nixon, Assistant Head of Hexham Priory School
The charities who attended on the evening were,
South East Northumberland
Etal House Day Centre Ashington £500
Cleaswell Hill School Guide Post £2000
Amber Rose Robinson Blyth £1000
Cramlington & District Red Squirrel Group £1000
Blyth & Tyne Model Railway Society £500
Pegswood Community Hub £500
Escape Family Support Ashington £500
Newbiggin by the Sea Partnership £2000
Tynedale
Hexham Priory School £15,610
Mid to North Northumberland
Northumberland National Park Mountain Rescue Team £9870
The Morpeth Mayors Appeal £3000
Wooler Drop In Centre £2400
Wooler Cricket Club £400
North East Area of the Old Gaffers Association Alnwick £5000
The Country Trust £5000
4Louis Wooler £5000
Hawthorn Primary School £350
Longhirst Parish Council £500
Newcastle
Jennifer Shovlin – World Challenge Expedition to Cambodia £500
Headway Tyneside £2300
The Montagu & Fenham Jaguars Girls Football Team £1000
Children’s Foundation £10,000
Dragonfly Trust for Cancer £15,000
Daft as a Brush £500
Newcastle Diocese Mothers Union £1000
Alyshia Gouldsbrough – Trip to Nepal £400
Kate Morrison £750
North Tyneside
Percy Hedley Foundation £500
Benton Dene School Longbenton £2500
The Whitley Bay Gang Show £1000
North East War Memorials Project £2000
Tynemouth Volunteer Life Brigade £1500
Whitley Bay Sea Cadets. £500
Chloe Gilholme £750
Whitley Bay Barbarians (girls’ team) £1000
Whitley Bay Sporting Club £500
Gateshead
Pop-up Gym £2699
Henshaws £2000