EAST KENT FREEMASONS TO RAISE FUNDS FOR CHARITIES SUPPORTED BY PRINCE PHILIP To honour the late Prince Philip, Freemasons have launched a campaign inviting their 200,000 members to raise funds for charities that the Prince dedicated his life to.
Photo from Freemasonry Today magazine
His Royal Highness the Duke of Edinburgh was himself a Freemason, having been introduced into the Craft in 1952 at the age of 31 by his father-in-law King George VI. Throughout his ninety-nine years, he was associated with some 992 charities, either as president, patron or as an honorary member. The Prince supported charitable organisations in the fields of scientific and technological research and development, the encouragement of sport, the welfare of young people, conservation and the environment.
Over the past year or so East Kent Freemasons have given 12,500 Face Shields and fifty Samsung Galaxy Android Tablets to Kent hospitals and supported vulnerable families in Kent by supplying more than four tons of food to banks. Dr David Staples, Chief Executive of the United Grand Lodge of England (UGLE), said: “Prince Philip was well known for his charity work, having been involved with numerous organisations. He was devoted to philanthropy and therefore the best way to celebrate his life is by supporting the charities that the Prince himself supported. “For us, this was an easy decision as Freemasonry’s core values are charity, integrity, respect and friendship. The Freemasons have been quietly getting on with making society and the lives of those less fortunate better for more than three centuries,” said Dr Staples.
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