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The essence of Freemasonry Charity
Charity, since its earliest days, has been the essence of Freemasonry but, unlike other fund raising organisations, most of the money raised comes from members' own pockets.
It is, however, entirely up to the individual member what he gives to Charity but it should always be without detriment to himself or his connections.
Similarly, he may join as many lodges as his time and pocket can allow as long as it does not adversely affect his family, business or other responsibilities.
Freemasons are members of a worldwide family and, as with all good families, welfare is important and we strive to help our brethren and their families who are ill or in distressed circumstances.
Financial assistance may be available from their own Lodge, Provincial Grand Lodge or one of the four main national Masonic Charities.
Charity is the first thing that most people mention when asked about Freemasonry and with good reason, for many millions of pounds are raised and distributed by Freemasons every year.
Less well known is the fact that most of this money comes from the Freemasons themselves, not from any other source.
Masons give generously, but never to an extent that would adversely affect the finances of their families.
The Freemasons' Grand Charity, the central charity of Freemasons in England and Wales, has a long tradition of regularly supporting national charities that are not connected with Freemasonry.
Those charities and projects are chosen because they deliver important services, complement the work of other charities, or tackle issues that are less popular with other funders.
Queen Elizabeth Court
Caring for you
The RMBI has been caring for older Freemasons and their dependants for over 160 years. The RMBI operate 17 care Homes across England and Wales offering a range of high quality care. Many of the Homes are registered for both residential and nursing care and a number offer specialist dementia care.
Queen Elizabeth Court, is located in Llandudno, North Wales and is a short ride away from historic Conwy, Snowdonia and the North Wales coast.
The
Home is purpose built, providing both residential and nursing care for up to
sixty-seven residents.
Each resident has their own en-suite bedroom, with a toilet and hand wash basin, in accommodation arranged over two floors in seven wings.
Residents may furnish their room with small items of furniture, provided that the furniture meets the required safety standards.
There are six lounges in the main Home and two in the nursing wing. Each wing has its own kitchenette with tea making facilities.
Queen Elizabeth Court offers a wide range of recreational facilities including a fully stocked library. A full programme of activities is organised by the Activities Co-ordinator to include concerts, quizzes, shopping trips and visits to places of interest.
RMBI services are available to people with either private or public funding. All applicants to an RMBI Home are assessed on an individual basis and advised of their weekly fee before moving into the Home.
The weekly fee covers provision of accommodation, meals and care, and may change as care needs change.
There are several different categories of eligibility and applicants must meet the criteria for one category to access the RMBI´s services.
Please read the RMBI eligibility policy for more information. Emergency admissions can be accommodated in exceptional circumstances.
Residents who choose an RMBI Home have the security of knowing that they have a home for life regardless of any changes to their financial circumstances, as long as the RMBI can cater for their particular care needs.
For more information visit the RMBI´s website at www.rmbi.org.uk
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Charitable Donations and Emergency Relief
Air Ambulances
Air ambulances in England and Wales fly around 17,500 missions each year at a cost of about £0.5 million per week, met almost entirely by charitable donations from the public.
In a new initiative, air ambulance charities receive support in the delivery of their potentially life-saving services from the Freemasons' Grand Charity, and to date nearly £400,000 has been donated to what is considered the busiest voluntary emergency service in the country.
During 2008, Provincial Grand Lodges were invited to nominate air ambulance charities to receive a share of a grant of £180,000.
Emergency Relief
Whenever the need arises, the Freemasons' Grand Charity will authorise an Emergency Grant to help fund disaster relief efforts.
Since 1981 over £1.5 million has been given to help the victims of floods, earthquakes, famines, terrorist attacks and other terrible events worldwide.
Recent emergency grants have included £50,000 in March 2011 to help victims of the Japan Tsunami, and in the previous month an emergency grant of £20,000 to the Red Cross to assist their recovery appeal following the earthquake in Christchurch New Zealand.
Earlier in February a grant of £20,000 was made after the flooding in Queensland Australia. In January 2011, an emergency grant of £20,000 was made following the flooding in Brazil.
Many other grants, too numerous to list here, are made each year to non-masonic charities. These include annual grants for medical research and to religious buildings of national importance. Further information can be obtained from the Grand Charity website.
