Lodge of Happiness - supporting Phab
Freemasonry encourages its members to support the community and those in need by raising money for charity. All of this is done within a moral and ethical framework and from its earliest days, Freemasonry has been concerned with the care of orphans, the sick and the aged by fund-raising benefits for national and local charities
Due to the unfortunate and difficult times that we find ourselves in with the Coronavirus, the Lodge of Happiness like many other lodges throughout the UK have not been able to hold its meetings, this has created a small surplus of funds through collections and donations and the Lodge has decided to direct those funds to worthwhile causes.
The Brethren were asked to vote for 2 out of a possible 5 worthy nominated causes to benefit from our contributions. The members of the Lodge voted almost unanimously for 2 charities, one of which was PHAB Camps Birmingham, a cause very close to the heart of our Worshipful Master, W Bro Colin Bennett.
Accordingly, W Bro Colin and the Charity Steward of the Lodge, W Bro Chris Albion, met Maxine Ross-Wallis at an appropriately distanced meeting in Kings Heath Park to present a cheque for £200 to the Charity.
The Provincial Charity Office, having heard of our plans, felt able to augment our donation by a further £1,000 making a total of a much needed £1,200 for this very worthy cause.
The Charity ‘Birmingham Phab’ was formed in 1957 and is a voluntary charity organisation that has been running over 50 years. Birmingham Phab has laboured successfully over the years to create holiday ideas and respite for families with physically disabled and able-bodied youngsters to enjoy each other’s company and to assist one another where necessary.
With no fixed means of income to achieve this, they must actively raise around £120K each year to pay for the holiday venues, transport and activities. Never-the-less, running safe, inclusive and action-packed holidays is a large operation, so they have volunteer members working all year round to plan, risk assess, and fundraise to make it happen!” For further information on this charity go to https://www.bhamphabcamps.org.uk/www/home/index.shtml