West Bromwich Walton Walker and Sandwell Lodge 3847

Charity

MASONRY & CHARITY

The values of Freemasonry are based on integrity, kindness, honesty and fairness. Freemasons are taught to practice charity and to care, not only for their own, but also for the community as a whole – both by charitable giving, and by voluntary efforts and works as individuals.

We donate not only to Local charities but also to Provincial Grand Lodge of Staffordshire and the United Grand Lodge of England charities, who are tackling some of society’s most important issues through grants to local and national charities and partnerships with leading organisations in the sector. With grants totalling over £5 million each year, they help thousands of disadvantaged and vulnerable people to live happy, fulfilling lives and participate actively in society.

Over the last forty years, they have provided over £130 million to charities funded solely through the generous donations of Freemasons under the United Grand Lodge of England, their families and friends.

Such charities and the levels of donation can depend on requests from member's independent appeals or donations given in memory of a departed member.

We never ask for contributions to exceed what an individual can afford without detriment to himself or connections, and always stress that whatever is given is “thankfully received and faithfully applied”.

100% of contributions go to charity and where possible we will claim an additional 25% from the HMRC if the donor is a UK taxpayer. It is a fact that Freemasonry is second only to the National Lottery in giving to charity.

To the right are a selection of charities that we continue to support. Please click on the Charity to find out more.

🌈 The Freemasons’ COVID-19 Community Fund has been established to support Freemasonry’s response to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. From producing and distributing Personal Protection Equipment; to masonic hall-catered ‘meals on wheels’ for the vulnerable; to supplying iPads and tablets to hospital patients and care home residents to combat isolation – Freemasonry’s efforts in supporting their communities has been truly incredible.

💥 To help Freemasonry make an even greater impact, the MCF is matching all donations up to £1 million. This is part of a wider £2.75 million pledged to support Freemasonry’s COVID-19 relief efforts. To find out more about the MCF’s response to COVID-19, visit: mcf.org.uk/covid19impact

Alternatively, follow us on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram, or sign-up to our newsletter to stay updated with our work.

Sandwell Young Carers

Children from 5 to 17 years old provide a caring service in the home for a sick or disabled relative. The charity gives the children an outlet and time to enjoy their childhood before returning to their care duties. The children suffer from tiredness, fatigue, bullying at school and falling behind in their schoolwork due to the onerous responsibilities they shoulder.
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Samaritans Wolverhampton

Volunteers answer telephones for 24 hours, 7 days a week, 365 days a year offering a “listening support service” to anyone who may be in despair and feels unable to talk to friends or relatives. In recent years an “outreach service” has enabled the volunteers to provide an even wider service to the community.
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The Haven Wolverhampton

A safe haven for women and children to escape from the fear and danger of domestic violence in the home. Providing accommodation, support in moving forward, and skill improvement courses, to re-establish confidence and independence.
FIND OUT MORE ➨

Christmas donation of £200

Christmas Donations of £200 each were made to the Two Children and Women`s Refuges which we support regularly.

“Thank you all at Walton Walker and Sandwell Lodge”

Hope all members are all keeping well and doing OK and we hope you are still able to meet up “Virtually”.

Thank you all so much for your on- going and continuous Care and Support for the Women and Children at the Haven.

The donation of £200 will continue to make life-changing differences to the lives of Women and Children as lockdown means more women are forced to isolate in dangerous situations and we therefore need your help in keeping our 24 Hour Helpline going.

We are so grateful to you for your awareness and support.

We wish you all a Safe and Happy New Year.

Jade Secker - Fundraising Manager

Christmas donation of £200

Christmas Donations of £200 each were made to the Two Children and Women`s Refuges which we support regularly.

(The Lodge received an Award Certificate from the Unit showing some of their Children “anonymously” holding cards spelling “THANK YOU”)

The card went on to say “This is awarded to Walton Walker and Sandwell Lodge for generously donating £200 to support the families”.

“Your donations helped us to make CHRISTMAS 2020 so special for so many”.

We are extremely grateful.

Wishing you all a Happy New Year.

Sara Ward - CEO

Donation in memory of Doreen Lawley - £250

Received thank you card in response to donation divided £125 to Compton Care, Wolverhampton, and £125 to PDSA Wolverhampton – “thank you all for your kind letter and generous donation in memory of Doreen Lawley. Heartfelt thanks to the Lodge from Doreen and John Lawley’s (WM 1985) family, they had a long and proud association with the Lodge.”

Julia Timmins - Great Niece

Black Country Women’s Aid – donation £250

We extend grateful thanks to the Lodge for the donation, and especially W.Bro. Phil Wright for completing a Covid 19-safe form of the 2020 Great North Run half marathon. Congratulations and sincere appreciation to Phil Wright and all at the Walton Walker & Sandwell Lodge for your continued support. The gift will be used to buy Christmas presents for the children in the Refuge, and you will make so many little people happy on Christmas morning. On behalf of the staff at BCWA and the families we support – thank you.

Deborah Slater - Regional Fundraising Officer

St. George’s Hub for homeless, vulnerable and excluded men – donation £250

Thanks on behalf of clients, volunteers, staff and Trustees to the Lodge, and especially W.Bro. Phil Wright, for the generous donation and for identifying our services as a worthy recipient for his fundraising efforts. Phil Wright deserves every plaudit for completing the safe form of the 2020 Great North Run half marathon in these challenging times. “The donation will contribute towards the running costs of operating our services for marginalised men from across the City of Wolverhampton who access the services at St. George’s HUB and who also prove to be particularly affected by Covid-19 as the rampant inequalities they suffer have been laid bare.”

Fazia Bano, CEO

Teenage Cancer Trust - donation £250

Heartfelt thanks and great appreciation for the highly charitable and overwhelming amount of money donated by the Lodge which will give teenagers with cancer a chance to have a near to normal life. It will give them the opportunity to forget the daily struggles they face. An amazing gesture from the Lodge.

Kian O’Connor, a 16 year old fundraiser for TCT and other cancer charities.

(Kian actually raised a totally of £365 for the Teenage Cancer Trust by completing a 100 mile challenge)

Sandwell Young Carers – donation £250

Sincere thanks to W.Bro. Phil Wright and all our friends at Walton Walker & Sandwell Lodge for such a generous donation. This will assist in supporting children between 5 to 18 years of age living in Sandwell where health, education and social lives are affected as a result of caring for a dependent family member. Sandwell Young Carers provide a range of activities, inclusive of on-site youth and play sessions, off-site day trips and residential weekends, advocacy and group support. “Your generosity is much appreciated by all involved in the organization”.

Mrs. Tracey Hawkins, Chief Executive Officer

Wolverhampton Samaritans – donation £250

Thanks to all members of Walton Walker & Sandwell Lodge for the donation and especially for the fundraising efforts of W.Bro. Phil Wright. A most generous gift for which all members of the Branch are

grateful. The donation will assist at these most challenging times of recruitment and training of volunteers during the Covid 19 pandemic and to keep all our volunteers safe and well. “Thank you for continuing to support Wolverhampton Samaritans and everyone here sends their best wishes for the continued success of the Lodge.”

Georgie Savage on behalf of the Fundraising Team

Action for Children in memory of Mary Alldritt - donation £250

Thank you, and what a lovely gesture, from the Walton Walker & Sandwell Lodge. It is very pleasing that you have honoured Mom and Dad (the late W.Bro. Les Alldritt, W.M. 1986) who were great supporters of the Lodge. My family extends our thanks to all of the Brothers for their kind donation and it is very pleasing that it will be used locally which I know Mom and Dad would appreciate.

(Donation to be used between Greets Green, Friar Park and Charlemont Children’s Centres, all in Sandwell).

Patricia Leach - Daughter

The Haven – donation £250

A letter and thank you card was sent with grateful thanks to W.Bro. Phil Wright and the Lodge for Phil`s efforts in the Covid-19 safe Great North Run. This has

raised both vital funds and awareness for the women and children supported by The Haven.

Staff cannot thank Phil and the Lodge enough for choosing to raise

money in aid of Charities which included The Haven and this donation is very gratefully received. We were delighted to receive an AMAZING £250, an incredible amount to help those fleeing from abuse during these unprecedented times, and particularly at Christmas. It is people like Phil and members of Walton Walker and Sandwell Lodge who enable the work to continue and help women and

children recover from the trauma of abuse. £250 could cover the

cost of 20 Play Therapy Sessions for children in the refuge, adapted

to each child`s age and individual needs. This will give them strength

and resilience to adapt to new routines including living in a refuge.

Staff, Board Members, Volunteers and, most important of all, the Women and Children at The Haven send a massive THANK YOU to the whole Lodge for your great support and awareness.,

Jade Secker - Fundraising Manager

Parkinsons UK- Sutton Coldfield & North Birmingham Branch – donation £500

“The donation in memory of W.Bro. Derrick Lauchlan will be used to subsidise such essential activities as weekly exercise and social events after Covid-19 restrictions are relaxed. It was great of Walton Walker & Sandwell Lodge to choose this very worthy cause and work continues as research progresses for a potential cure to be found, or at least medication to alleviate all or nearly all of the symptoms. The branch passed on their condolences to Derrick’s family and offered support to them in any way they can.”

John Carrington -Branch Chairman

Black Country Women’s Aid – donation £500

“Thanking the Lodge for the amazing and very generous donation which will help to fund trauma counselling for adults and children. Thank you so much for caring. (This acknowledgement included a thank-you card designed by children.)”

Sara Ward, CEO BCWA

St. George’s Hub for homeless, vulnerable and excluded men – donation £500

“Thanking the Lodge on behalf of clients, staff and trustees for the wonderful donation of £500. Such support is crucial to the Centre and never taken for granted as we strive to provide a key service which continues to be a lifeline for the most vulnerable men in the City of Wolverhampton.

Without the support of the Lodge and the Masonic Charitable Foundation, the work could not continue in this time of such financial hardship and levels of inequality which has meant significant increases in demand for services.

Clients are some of the most marginalized and excluded men in the City which may be due to mental health, substance abuse, domestic abuse and bereavement. The staff thanks Walton Walker & Sandwell Lodge on behalf of the clients for the invaluable support given.”

Fazia Bano, CEO

Sandwell Young Carers – donation of £500

“How lovely and so Walton Walker & Sandwell Lodge to think of us in this challenging time. I am touched as much as grateful for your continued support and generosity. Staff are currently liaising from home with young carers and families to offer support, arrange food parcels, medication deliveries, equipment for home schooling, as well as providing art and craft packages for the children. The children are experiencing an increase in caring roles with little or no time for themselves so your donation has assisted us in many and various ways, so many thanks to the Lodge and its supporters.”

CEO - Sandwell Young Carers

Wolverhampton Samaritans – donation of £500

“Our thanks to Walton Walker & Sandwell Lodge for your most generous gift for which all members of the branch are extremely grateful. The donation will be put towards purchasing upgraded telephony and other essential equipment to support callers in these very challenging times, whilst ensuring that volunteers are kept safe and well. We thank you for continuing to support us and everyone here sends their very best wishes for the continued success of the Lodge.”

Wolverhampton Samaritans Fundraising Team

The Haven, Wolverhampton – donation of £500

“On behalf of all staff, board members, volunteers and, most importantly, women and children at The Haven, we would like to once again say a massive thank you for such a generous donation and for your ongoing and very valued support of the women and children we support. Heartfelt thanks for the donation, which will make a massive difference at The Haven, to the women and children who have been subject to domestic abuse and homelessness during these extremely difficult times in ensuring they have somewhere to turn to for vital support. During lockdown we experienced a 60% increase in visits to our website and West Midlands Police have made over 400 suspected domestic abuse arrests during the first two weeks of lockdown alone. Your incredible donation will help to fund vital services meaning our staff can keep working to ensure that every woman who needs support receives that virtually life-saving help for her and her children to escape from abuse. Our helpline has continued to ring, our refuge has continued to provide safe emergency accommodation, and the women have continued to receive essential therapeutic support. This has been made possible by people like the members and supporters at Walton Walker & Sandwell Lodge.”