On a busy Remembrance Sunday Solidarity Lodge 7885 held its annual Charity Giving event at Shaw Masonic Hall, Kershaw Street. Funds collected for Good Causes from the 2024-2025 Masonic Season were distributed at a celebration of Relief and Fellowship. There were 31 attendees plus six representatives from the charitable organisations making for a good sized group and the meeting was held in a relaxed and friendly atmosphere.
We were happy to have representatives from 1st Shaw Scouts (Marc O’Neill and Colin Baker) Dr Kershaw’s Hospice (Jill Kirkham) Shaw Junior Playhouse (Judith Haughton and Steve Bennett) and Oldham Foodbank (Matt Fleming) in attendance which enhanced the celebrations greatly!
Solidarity lodge, of 29 members plus one Honorary Member, managed to raise £2,000 for distribution and four of five recipient organisations were represented at the meeting, each collecting a cheque for £400. Each recipient gave a short update informing the Brethren and their guests of the good work that they have been doing over the last year and indicating how the money donated by the Lodge would be put to good use in the near future. A cheque to each was presented by the IPM WBro Gerry Hill, whose own proposed charity was unable to attend the event that being the specific services at the Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital for SMA (Spinal Muscular Atrophy) but they will receive the same amount in due course.
As always the Brethren and their partners afforded us a glorious spread of food as a buffet lunch supplied on a ‘Bring and Share’ basis. I don’t think anyone went home hungry! The bar staff did a grand job keeping us hydrated too!
The event culminated in a raffle which raised £220 for this year’s Good Causes Account, which we look forward to gifting at next years event!
Of all the fantastic social events that Solidarity lodge run each year, this is still my favourite as it brings together the benefactors and beneficiaries and forms a human connection between the two in a very meaningful way. I hope you and your Lodge will consider running a similar event as I am sure you would find it as rewarding and humbling as we do.
WBro Stephen Warrington PProvGStwd
Secretary to Solidarity lodge 7885
Group: From Right to Left Marc O’Neill, Matt Fleming, Jill Kirkham, Colin Baker, WBro Gerry Hill and WBro Steve Warrington
Individual: Centre Jill Kirkham, Right WBro Gerry Hill, Left WBro Steve Warrington