Having previously served with the Provincial Charity Team for several years, as well as Head of TLC Surrey, I have had the privilege and honour to visit many Surrey charities and see first-hand the amazing work which they do.

It has always been such a humbling experience, listening to the emotional stories of volunteers and helpers, who dedicate so much time and energy to helping those in need.

Very often, they are giving their time to helping a specific charity, in response to their own first- hand experiences or life challenges, and this is their way of giving something back.

It is an unfortunate fact of life though, that no charity can survive and do their work helping others, without external financial assistance.

It has been rewarding therefore, on behalf of all Surrey Freemasons, to have been able to deliver some of that help through my previous role.

This is where the Masonic Charitable Foundation (MCF) also plays a major part in helping. Charity and Service are in the DNA of all Surrey Freemasons and Lodges, however working with the MCF enables us to focus some of our resources, to achieve significantly greater assistance to selected charities, via MCF grants.

Local press has also become increasingly generous in publishing many of our ‘good-news’ stories, especially where grants are large and impactful, thus helping to shine a light on Surrey Freemasons supporting their local communities and those in need.

The Surrey 2030 Festival will run for a period of around five years, with Surrey Freemasons raising funds in support of the MCF. It will include many exciting events which Lodges and Members can become involved with, with the Festival focus firmly on fun for everyone, including family and friends.

Supporting the 2030 Festival will bring focus to our fundraising activities, providing significant help for those Surrey Freemasons and their families who are in need as well as local charities.