Masters Charity

The Master’s Charity

Since 1984, the Master each year has nominated a special charity or worthwhile cause which he has chosen to receive additional funding, over and above our normal annual donations.

This regular aspect of Lodge life was initiated by the Provincial Grand Lodge Appeal for the ‘Guide Dogs for the Blind’. The special event held that year was a sponsored walk. Along with Brethren from Lodges throughout the Province, the Lodge took part in a trek from Kilsyth in the far east of the Province to Rosneath in the west. A substantial sum was raised by all the Lodges to train guide dogs. A picture of one of the dogs, ‘Ida’, hangs in the Lodge ‘museum’.

On many occasions during the eighties and nineties a sponsored canoe event took place on the Union and Forth and Clyde Canals. In the early years this started off on the Union Canal at Ratho, with dedicated canoeists paddling their way to Falkirk and then joining the Forth and Clyde Canal for the stretch passed Kilsyth, Twechar and Kirkintilloch, finishing at Bishopbriggs. The Lodges in these towns were usually approached for donations and refreshments for the weary participants. There are some good stories to be heard of mishaps on the way which some of the elder Brethren may relate in future articles!

As well as sponsored events, regular ‘collections’ were made at Harmonies following the Meetings, with Brethren giving donations to the ‘Charity Spot’. The rendition of Rolf Harris’s hit ‘Two Little Boys’ was a big earner in those days.

This year’s nominated charity is Erskine Home. For more details see www.erskine.org.uk. Other regular recipients have included Erskine Hospital in 1991, 1997 and 2004; Merkland School, Kirkintilloch, in 1988 and 1995; CHAS (Children’s Hospice Association Scotland) in 1994, 1996 and 2003; and Yorkhill Hospital in 1993, 1997 and 1999.

Other recipients have been:
	1988, Princess Louise Hospital;
	1989, Noonan’s Syndrome;
	1990, Zimbabwe Ambulance Appeal, Kidney Research, and Myalgic Encephalomyelitis;
	1991, Leukaemia Research;
	1992, Scottish Cot Death Trust;
	1994, Jean Armour Homes, Paul O’Gorman Foundation, and Jigsaw Community Nursery;
	1998, Multiple Sclerosis;
	2002, Meningitis Scotland;
	2005, Rett Syndrome.

The biggest single donation was presented on 20th December 2003 to the Provincial Grand Lodge of Dunbartonshire’s CHAS Appeal. A sum of £2250 was presented, representing £10 for each year of the Lodge’s existence.

Overall over £11,000 has been raised in addition to some two to three hundred pounds donated each year to local causes which have included; Chryston Senior Citizens; Local Playgroups; Chryston Boys’ Brigade and Moodiesburn Pipe Bands; Griffin Burns Club; Chryston Bowling Club Cancer Whist; Chryston District Horticultural Society; Northern Corridor Befriending Project.

In addition to local organisations, annual donations are given to the Earl Haig Fund and the Mission to Deep Sea Fishermen.

Over the years, a total of well over £22,000 has been donated.

The charitable aspect of Freemasonry is alive and well in Lodge Cadder Argyle.

Masonic Temple, 23 Lindsaybeg Road, Chryston, Glasgow G69 9DR, Telephone 0141 779 1447