BLOOMSBURY RIFLES LODGE No. 2362
CHARITIES
MMC London Fire Brigade Appeal
The MMC Appeal has raised 2.5 million to purchase to Ultra High lift aerial appliances for LFB. In addition to several bariatric stretchers and rapid response vehicles.
The Lodge has been awarded Patron Lodge status in recognition of the donations made to the Appeal
MMC Air Amublance Appeal
The MMC Air Ambulance Appeal has raised a total of £2.1 million towards the second emergency medical helicopter. The ‘Your London, Your Helicopter’ campaign to raise £4.4 million to acquire and sustain a second helicopter and extend daylight flying hours for five years. The £2.1 million donation which has come from some 1,350 lodges in London.
The Lodge, at the bequest of Members, has so far this year donated £12,000 towards the Air Ambulance Appeal making the Lodge a Patron of the MMC Air Ambulance Appeal.
King's Royal Rifles Corp and the Lodge
There is a proud history between the 1st Cadet Battalion, The King’s Royal Rifles Corps (KRRC) and the Bloomsbury Rifles Lodge going as far back as 1890. Both were formed in that year, where the Lodge convened at The Drill Hall in Chenies Street (where the building is still there to see today), the cadets were mustering at Sun Street, just behind Finsbury Square. (Alas, that building is no longer with us and is now shiny office block!)
During these times, cadet units were privately funded and it was soon after that the first donation from the Lodge was given to the cadets.This helped greatly in providing uniform and equipment for the cadets to train, shortly after in 1898, 100 senior cadets enrolled with the City Imperial Volunteers and saw service in the Boer War, South Africa. Throughout our respective history, there have been close links between these two great organisations.When the lodge moved into their new LOI premises (Davies Street) in 1953, the 1st cadet battalion quickly followed in 1954, both have been ever present to this very day.
Over the years, members of the 1st Cadet Battalion, KRRC joined the lodge and became active members with some making the grand position of WM. We still have members today who are instructors with the cadet units.This helped in highlighting the great work that the 1st Cadet Battalion does under the banner of the Army Cadet Force (ACF). The kind donations continue where it has helped fund items like:
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Keeping the minibuses that two cadet units have on the road, which is vital when the cadets are taken away on their camps.
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Helped subsidise those cadets who do not have the financial income to pay for trips, where no-one wants them to miss out on these unique opportunities.
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Able to purchase specialist equipment, for example bugles, which are not provided through the MOD/ACF.
There are four cadet units that the lodge support, they are based in Marylands Road, Paddington; Davies Street, Westminster; Handel Street, Camden; Palace Street, Westminster.
In connection with its Charities it may be mentioned that the Lodge by donations from its funds qualified as follows:-
Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution, Vice President 1936, Vice Patron 1946. Patron.
Royal Masonic Institution for Girls, Vice President 1936, Vice Patron 1947.
Royal Masonic Hospital, foundling Lodge 1925 and Patron in 1931, Grand Patron.
MMC Air Ambulance Appeal, Patron in 2015.
Royal Masonic Trust for Girls and Boys, Grand Patron in 2016.
Metropolitan Grand Masters Tercentenary Appeal Foundation Award 2017.
In 1910 a Benevolent Association was formed in connection with the Lodge of Instruction, W.Bro. W. F. Cowtan being the first Secretary. Largely through this medium an amount exceeding £30,000 has been subscribed.
The Lodge of Instruction is a Patron of the Hospital through support of the Samaritan Fund. The Lodge firmly supported the Masonic Million Fund in the years from 1920, but found, unfortunately, that qualification as a Hall Stone Lodge was beyond its resources.
As a War Memorial, the Lodge formed, in 1947, a Masonic Library for the exclusive use of its members.
Other Charities supported by the Lodge
Music
For Freemasons, for families, for everyone
The Masonic Charitable Foundation builds better lives by enabling opportunity, advancing healthcare and education and promoting independence for Freemasons, their families and the wider community.
Funded entirely through the generosity of Freemasons and their families, the Masonic Charitable Foundation is one of the largest grant-making charities in the country.
How the Foundation helps Masonic families
A wide range of help and support is available for Freemasons, their wives, partners, widows, children and grandchildren. Most of the support provided takes the form of financial grants to assist with financial, health or family related needs.
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Daily living costs
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Grants following an accident, redundancy or personal crisis
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Funeral bills
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Minor home repairs
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Medical treatment
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Dental treatment
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Mobility aids and home adaptations
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Counselling
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Costs for education or training
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Scholarships, travel grants and student accommodation
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Supporting exceptional talent in sport, music or the performing arts
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Masonic care homes – including nursing, residential and dementia care
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Respite care
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UK holidays
The Foundation’s Advice & Support Team offer confidential, impartial and practical guidance about the help we can provide. The Team can also help with applications for state and local authority benefits and can put you in touch with other organisations who can give advice on care, employment and education.
Keep up to date with the Foundation’s work
Website: www.mcf.org.uk
Twitter: @Masonic_Charity
Facebook: @themcf
YouTube: Masonic Charitable Foundation