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Province of Lincolnshire
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2014 Festival
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From the Provincial Grand Master The Festival for the Royal Masonic Trust for Girls and Boys (RMTGB) will be celebrated in 2014 in this Province. Hence, it is with great pleasure and pride that I write this foreword just as the Province embarks on a highly worthwhile and exciting journey over the next five years. Several years ago a Mason of a Lodge in this Province died suddenly. His young daughter was immediately in difficult domestic and financial circumstances. The Lodge Almoner was sensitive to her needs. An approach was made to the RMTGB and financial assistance became immediately available to the family. Several years on I am delighted to confirm that the young lady is doing extremely well and the RMTGB has been assisting financially with regard to her boarding school education. The financial help provided was immediate and has been constant. It has secured the future of a child who was left in very unfortunate and difficult circumstances. In addition to this example the RMTGB supports many other young people from Lincolnshire Masonic families. In the year to 31 August 2008 14 boys and 16 girls have been supported with a total sum in excess of £106,000. There is also another young person benefiting from the ‘TalentAid’ scheme with a cost in excess of £4,800.
RW Bro Graham Ives, Provincial Grand Master for the Province of Lincolnshire
Our last Festival concluded in 2003 and was highly successful due to the very generous support of the brethren in this Province. Worshipful Brother John Hockin was the Provincial Grand Charity Steward during the term of our last Festival and now, as Deputy Provincial Grand Master, I have asked him to
promote and deliver this Festival. His previous experience will be of considerable advantage. He will be ably supported by the Provincial Grand Charity Steward, Worshipful Brother David Richardson, who has been recently appointed and invested to this Office.
Front cover: Will and Kate, beneficiaries since 2002
The aim of the RMTGB is to relieve poverty and to advance education. Those eligible for
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The RMTGB has been in existence since the eighteenth century and has helped under its Objects many, many children. I am sure that the brethren of this Province appreciate the great importance of this Charity and this is amply illustrated by the examples referred to above. It is most important to remember that the grand principles upon which the Order is founded are “brotherly love, relief and
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assistance are the children (including adopted children and step-children) of any age, of Freemasons under the United Grand Lodge of England who are considered to be in need of such assistance. The Trust also has power, provided that sufficient funds are available, to grant assistance to any child who is not the child of a Freemason. The aim is to provide, so far as possible, the same opportunities in life as would have been available to the child concerned had death or other misfortune not occurred within the family.
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truth�. Masonic Charities are at the forefront of our principles. If their invaluable work is to continue they have to receive our wholehearted support. In particular the RMTGB must be the main focus of our charitable giving in the next five years. I am certain that the well established generosity of the brethren in Lincolnshire will ensure that this Festival is a resounding success. I was deeply honoured to be Installed as your Provincial Grand Master on the 24th June 2008. I am privileged to be your Provincial Grand Master at the launch of this Festival. The Festival will be at the heart of my service to the Province during the next five years. Please join with me in raising a sum worthy of our wonderful Province knowing that we shall be assisting those, who through no fault of their own, find themselves in difficult circumstances. RW Bro Graham Ives Provincial Grand Master Steve Harris
Lincoln and its Cathedral
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Relieving Poverty ‌ For over 200 years the Royal Masonic Institution for Girls and the Royal Masonic Institution for Boys have helped to relieve poverty and advance the education of the children of deceased or distressed Freemasons. This purpose and other far wider terms of reference were taken up by the RMTGB when, in 1986, it took over the running of the former charities. Today the RMTGB could, at any one time, be actively supporting as many as 1,800 girls and boys at schools, colleges or universities. The support provided takes many forms but the particular needs of the child remain the clear priority. Every case is considered on its merits but a degree of poverty must exist for support to be considered. To receive maximum support, a family’s annual income must be less than £5,000. The Petitions Committee meets four times each year to consider applications submitted on behalf of needy Freemasons and their families. Members of this Committee are often shocked and moved by the heartbreaking and tragic events they read about, and these clearly put into perspective why your continued support is so important.
When Tragedy Strikes! The Freemason father worked part-time driving a mini-bus for disabled people. He had been made redundant at the age of 50 and had struggled to find more lucrative employment since. In 2003 his wife and the mother of his twin daughters was diagnosed with breast cancer and underwent a Mastectomy. The girls were aged 14 years.
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At first it seemed that the operation had been successful but in 2004 the mother became ill again. This time her hips and legs were also affected. She died in May 2006. In the middle of December last year the father did not turn up for work. A colleague called at the family home but got no answer. The girls were contacted at school in case their father was ill, they were accompanied to the house by two teachers where he was found hanging in the corridor. Unable to cope with the loss of his wife he had committed suicide. Since his death the girls have been cared for by their grandmother who is in her late 70s. Both girls are academically able. In January 2007 they were each awarded a termly maintenance allowance and continue to receive on-going support now they have commenced at University. No one knows what challenges they will face in the future but one thing is for certain, the RMTGB will be there offering support and advice and, of course, generous grants to help make the traumatic lives of these two Masonic orphans a little more bearable. The RMTGB understands that it will be called on for more support over many years. Often a single grant can go on to become a commitment for the child for a period that spans many years. The RMTGB has never failed in its responsibilities to the qualifying child of a Mason and we need your support if we are to continue our important work.
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… Advancing Education Christopher and Nicholas are the sons of a Freemason. Their father died of a heart attack. At the time, Christopher, then aged 17, had tried to resuscitate his father. Their mother, like many women, had given up work when her children were born. The Trust accepted a Petition on the boys’ behalf. Christopher, an academic high-flyer, is now studying to be a large animal vet at the Royal Veterinary College, London, and is in receipt of a RMTGB Scholarship. Nicholas, who was on the special needs register at school due to his Dyspraxia, now attends a local college where he is studying Motor Vehicle Maintenance. This will allow him to develop and utilise his practical skills. He continues to be supported by the Trust. With RMTGB support both these boys will be able to follow their chosen careers and become valued members of society.
This is Marcus, a beneficiary of the Trust since 2001 when his father died at the tragically young age of 37.
Each year we spend in the region of £9 million helping young people like Christopher and Nicholas. Right now we face a stark choice; to raise more money or to cut back our support for the distressed children of Masonic families. For today’s Freemasons to fail the distressed child of a Masonic family would be unthinkable.
“A man never stands as tall as when he kneels to help a child” 5
The Trust in Action Today £18,000 Will provide an orphaned beneficiary with the stability and security of a boarding school environment for a year £2,300 Would pay for a medical student to complete an elective period in a foreign hospital and assist in his/her qualification as a doctor £1,000 Will provide a scholarship for one year for a beneficiary from a low income family while attending University
£800 Would allow a child to receive counselling following the death of a parent
£770 Will provide an 11-year old with one term’s maintenance allowance where family income after housing costs is less than £10,000 p.a.
£750 Would purchase a desktop computer with printer, software and a 3-year warranty
£420 Will pay for an Educational Psychologist Assessment to identify and help with a child’s learning difficulties
£400 Would pay for one year’s music lessons for a child who is working towards graded examinations
£350 Will buy a complete school uniform for a child to make sure they fit in with their peers on their first day at school
£300 Would allow a child to join classmates on a school organised educational visit abroad
£260 Will pay for a child to go on an activity holiday as respite from their responsibilities at home, where their parent or sibling is disabled
£250 Would buy a flute for a child to develop their musical interest
£200 Will pay for one term of specialist tuition for a child with learning difficulties
£130 Would provide a Christmas Grant to a low income family
£60 Will provide an achievement award in recognition of at least 6 GCSE passes at ‘A’ Grade
What Your Support Can Do!
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During 2007 the RMTGB supported 857 girls and 803 boys at schools, colleges and universities. 66 young people received grants under the TalentAid scheme. Many others benefited from grants from the subsidiary funds. In all over 1,800 were supported.
Grand Patron £3,000
Patron £2,000
Vice-Patron £1,000
Steward £500
Our Presence in Lincolnshire
Individual Donors
In the last 12 months grants in excess of £106,000 have been awarded to 16 girls and 14 boys from the Province of Lincolnshire. In addition, one young person has received grants amounting to over £4,800 from the TalentAid scheme. In the last 5 years we have disbursed almost £543,000 to beneficiaries within the Province. We also provide bursaries for choristers at many Cathedrals. In 2007, 24 choristers benefited at a cost of £204,000. Choristers at Lincoln Cathedral and at St James’ School, Great Grimsby are currently being supported under the scheme.
in Lincolnshire Lifelites education and entertainment equipment was first installed at St Andrew’s Children’s Hospice in Grimsby in December 2000. A full upgrade of the technology was undertaken in 2006 at a cost of over £17K. The next upgrade (funds permitting) is planned for 2010. Lifelites is continuing to develop the service it offers in order to provide the most up to date equipment for the children of St Andrews to enjoy.
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Making it Happen – Raising the Money Regular Giving Pays Dividends
Legacy Giving
The easiest way to make a real difference is to take out a monthly Standing Order and sign a Gift Aid declaration. Your money is credited to the Festival Account and interest at 1½% above the Bank of England base rate is added.
By remembering the RMTGB in your Will you can make a real difference to the level of support provided.
We actively encourage all eligible donors to complete a Gift Aid declaration, this enables the benefit of your donation to be maximised.
Legacies are immensely important to our work. Making a Will is a simple but very important step. It is the only way of ensuring that you decide who will benefit from your estate after your death.
For your donations to qualify for Gift Aid you must pay an amount of Income Tax and/or Capital Gains Tax at least equal to the tax that the Trust reclaims on your donations in the appropriate tax year (currently 28p for each £1 you give).
Planning an Open Day?
Please ensure that you contact the Trust if your tax situation changes or if you change address.
Guest Speakers
Gift Aid Envelopes Gift Aid envelopes are also available. The envelopes enable the Trust to reclaim tax on donations made through alms collections, festive boards and Ladies’ nights.
JustgivingTM We have teamed up with Justgiving™ to provide an easy way for Provinces, Lodges and individuals to donate especially when using Credit or Debit Cards and to assist event organisers to market their event and encourage sponsorship. A Lincolnshire 2014 Festival Event Page is available to link events to. Please contact the Trust for details of how to use the Justgiving™ site www.justgiving. com.
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Did you know that we have a professional presentation stand, which can be used to illustrate some of the important works carried out by this charity?
We will, on request, arrange for a speaker to attend Lodge meetings to talk about the work of the Charity. Please contact the Fund-raising Manager, Bro Ray Collings at the Trust on 020 7405 2644 or rcollings@rmtgb.org.
Support the RMTGB and Come to the Festival Once every year the RMTGB holds a Festival, at which the total amount achieved, including promised donations, is announced. On each of these occasions a distinguished Brother, usually a Provincial Grand Master presides and, in the latter case, the Brethren of his Province and their Ladies are invited to support him to the utmost of their ability. In 2014, the Anniversary Festival is being held under the Presidency of the Provincial Grand Master for Lincolnshire. Please support your Provincial Grand Master and qualify as a Steward of the 2014 Festival (see page 10).
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Festival: Lincolnshire 2014
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Lodge No. & Name
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60 Great Queen Street, London WC2B 5AZ www.rmtgb.org
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Royal Masonic Trust for Girls and Boys
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Registered Charity No. 285836
GIFT AID DECLARATION Details of Donor (Please use Block Capitals) Title
Forename(s)
Surname
Home Address
Post Code
Contact Telephone Number
E-mail Address
I want the Royal Masonic Trust for Girls and Boys to treat all donations I have made since 6th April 2002 and all donations I make from the date of this declaration until I notify you otherwise as Gift Aid donations. I understand that I must notify the Trust if I no longer pay an amount of Income Tax or Capital Gains Tax equal to the tax the Trust reclaims on my donations in the tax year (for 2008/2009 this is 28p for every £1 I give). I must also notify the Trust of any change of address.
Signature
Date
(Signature of taxpayer named above) Unless this declaration relates to a donation/s already received by the Trust please complete the Banker’s Order below or alternatively attach your cheque for: £ Important Note: The Trust will reclaim tax on specific donations only if notified in writing. It is important that you read the Gift Aid explanatory notes available from our web-site. Details of your donations and RMTGB Status will be stored and processed by the Trust in accordance with the Data Protection Act 1998. Donor details will only be shared with relevant bodies connected with the Masonic Charities Festival system. Higher rate taxpayers may nominate the RMTGB to receive any additional tax relief due by entering the unique code VAE64YG when completing their tax return.
BANKER’S ORDER To: The Manager
Bank PLC
Account No
Sort Code
Address On the 1st day of
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and thereafter at Monthly/Yearly intervals*
For FIVE* years until 2014*
please pay the sum of £
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pounds (words)
(figures) p (words))
*Please alter and initial as appropriate
To: THE FESTIVAL ACCOUNT, ROYAL MASONIC TRUST FOR GIRLS AND BOYS (A/c No. 36123560) at the National Westminster Bank PLC, (60‑30‑06) Bloomsbury Parr’s Branch, 214 High Holborn, London WC1V 7BX and DEBIT my account.
Name in CAPITALS
Signed
Address
Date
RMTGB Ref. No
Please do not detach Banker’s Order from Gift Aid Form. This Banker’s Order will be forwarded to your Banker by the Trust.
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Festival Honorifics
Become a Steward of the 2014 Festival by paying or promising to pay a minimum of £500 towards the Festival Appeal. On receipt of the first £100 a Jewel will be issued by the Trust.
Qualified Stewards may wish to become a Vice-Patron of the 2014 Festival by paying or promising to pay a minimum of £1,000 towards the Festival Appeal, this includes the £500 already paid to become a Steward.
Qualified Stewards may wish to become a Patron of the 2014 Festival by paying or promising to pay a minimum of £2,000 towards the Festival Appeal, this includes the £500 already paid to become a Steward.
Qualified Stewards may wish to become a Grand Patron of the 2014 Festival by paying or promising to pay a minimum of £3,000 towards the Festival Appeal, this includes the £500 already paid to become a Steward.
Use Regular Giving with Gift Aid to “Ease the Pain and Spread the Gain” Through regular giving with Gift Aid you can attain the Festival Honorific of Vice-Patron for as little as £14 per month over 5 years. By paying £28 per month you can achieve Patron status or become a Grand Patron for £42 per month.
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Our History...
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HRH the Duchess of Cumberland (below) was the Trust’s first Royal Patroness. With Chevalier Ruspini, a prominent 18th century Freemason, she founded The Royal Cumberland Freemasons’ School in 1788. Under the firm direction of the Duchess, King George III’s sister-in-law, the school educated and cared for poor and orphaned girls. Out of that school grew both the Royal Masonic Trust for Girls and Boys and The Royal Masonic School for Girls at Rickmansworth. This contemporary engraving, after a painting by the fashionable portrait painter Richard Cosway, is in the possession of the Trust.
The picture of about 1802 shows Chevalier Ruspini, one of the founders of the first Masonic school, leading the pupils into Grand Lodge in the presence of HRH George, Prince of Wales.
... Their Future When James’ parents separated, we were able to assist with a Maintenance Allowance. James (right) now aged 18, has spastic quadriplegia, despite hearing difficulties, he enjoys music, especially playing his electric guitar and a range of percussion instruments. James enjoys being out and about and has recently participated in an activity week away where he thoroughly enjoyed learning to canoe.
Thank you for your support
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Mission Statement To continue to relieve poverty and provide an education and preparation for life for the children of the family of a Freemason and, where funds permit, for any children, as their fathers would have done, had they been able so to do.
Danial, Adeelah and Alisha’s father suffered severe burns in an accident and was unable to work because of his injuries. The RMTGB provides Maintenance Allowances for all three children. Danial is a keen golfer and receives assistance towards the cost of his golf lessons. In addition, we assist towards the costs of dancing lessons for Alisha.
Will you, in turn, support the RMTGB?
Grand President HRH The Duke of Kent KG GCMG GCVO ADC, Grand Master President Mike Woodcock, DLitt, ClntMC, JP Chief Executive Les Hutchinson, MBA, BA (Hons), MCMI Royal Masonic Trust for Girls and Boys 60 Great Queen Street, London WC2B 5AZ Telephone: 020 7405 2644 Facsimile: 020 7831 4094 Web-site: www.rmtgb.org Registered Charity No. 285836