Provincial Charity News
Charity Stewards Blog
News, thanks and general ramblings from your Provincial Grand Charity Steward, W Bro. Trevor Barrett.
To contact me please email [email protected]
· 19th October 2025
Recently, we have had the pleasure of seeing five Lodges qualify for the prestigious “Grand Masters Keystone Fund Lodge.” This achievement allows the Worshipful Master to wear the distinctive Collarette, Jewel, and Button. Additionally, as a GMKF Lodge, the secretary is permitted to use the logo on all Lodge correspondence, including agendas.
The Grand Masters Keystone Fund was established to honour HRH Prince Michael of Kent, GCVO, for his forty years of dedicated service to Mark Masonry. The fund aims to grant awards to individuals, offering encouragement and financial support for their educational, vocational, and sporting achievements.
By supporting the GMKF, your lodge is also contributing to the Mark Benevolent Fund. All contributions are counted towards your lodge’s total for Festival 2034, effectively doubling the impact of your donations. To qualify as a GMKF Lodge, each Lodge must pay £25.00 per member and an additional £60.00 for the jewel. If you prefer a silver gilt jewel, the cost is £125.00. Please note that the cost of the jewel is not included in the total for the 2034 Festival.
More details can be found on the MMH website (https://www.markmasonshall.org/charities/gmkf)
We appreciate your continued support and dedication to these important causes.
· 26th September 2025
I am delighted to share the wonderful news that we have successfully reached our target of £20,000 towards the acquisition of a new Doc Bike for Dorset, as announced at the AGM last Saturday. This remarkable achievement is truly a testament to the dedication and generosity of our relatively small province, and I extend my heartfelt thanks to each and every one of you. Well done to all!
Moreover, our efforts have been further bolstered by the generous support of the MBF in London, which contributed an additional £22,798. This brings the total grant to a substantial £42,798. Combined with Doc Bike’s own fundraising efforts, we now have the necessary funds to purchase a brand new, fully equipped Doc Bike for use in Dorset.
The gratitude expressed by the Charity is profound, and our collective efforts have not only brought joy to their hearts but have also made a significant impact in saving lives—five in just one year alone!
Thank you once again for your incredible support. Once the bike is purchased and fully equipped, we will have the opportunity to attend a presentation event. I am confident that many of you will be eager to participate. Details of the event will be shared as soon as they are available.
· 2nd March 2025
I gratefully received donations from a couple of lodges at the start of March. One of £145.00 from Amity Lodge No 132 that will be put to good use in the Doc Bike appeal. And two donations from Branksome RAM no 1477. £140 for the Dorset Mark Discretionary Fund that will also go into the Doc Bike fund and one for £165.00 for the Mark Benevolent Fund. The PGM and I are very grateful to the Brethren of Amity and Branksome.
· 19th Feb 2025
A short while ago I was approached by the parents of a Dorset teenager who was hoping to play in the European Junior Snooker Championships. Their problem was they needed some help with funding his participation.
Harry Wyatt, 15 years old from Ferndown, has represented England and was very keen to participate in the European Snooker Championships in Antalya Turkey in March this year. He was selected to represent England at the Championships by his performances on the England National Junior Tour. However, costs were quite high and due to his age, there was a requirement to be accompanied by his father and they had to stay in the hotel/resort where the championship was being held. This along with travel costs were to cost the family in excess of £800.
They approached me, via W. Bro Matthew Burt, to see if Dorset Mark Freemasonry could assist. After consultation with the PGM we have donated £1000 from the Dorset Mark Discretionary Fund to cover the above costs and to go towards their day-to-day expenses whilst at the tournament.
Chris and Lucinda Wyatt were extremely grateful, saying that this funding took ha huge weight off their minds and they could now concentrate on helping Harry prepare for the tournament, he is also going to get a Dorset Mark Master Masons patch made up to wear on his waistcoat. Harry’s father Chris emailed me saying “Myself and Lucinda are very proud of Harry, he practices extremely hard and we do everything we can to ensure he can compete in both national and international tournaments. As hard as we work it just would not be possible to take Harry abroad without the help of sponsorship.
We are so grateful to the Dorset Mark Masons for helping Harry with the cost associated with representing England at the European Championships in Turkey. We couldn’t have got him there without this help so we sincerely thank everyone at Dorset Mark Masons”
To follow Harry’s progress through the competition, use the EBSA website.
I am sure all Dorset Mark Masons will join me in wishing Harry the very best of luck for the tournament.
Once we get some photos from Harry’s parents the story will appear on the News page of the website with them.
· 13th Feb 2025
Another donation received this month, this time from Branksome Lodge of MMM no. 1477 of £200.00. This again was gratefully received into the DMDF and will again go towards the Doc Bike appeal.
· 13th Feb 2025
St Cuthberga Lodge of MMM no 99 recently sent me a very generous donation of £1000.00 for the Dorset Mark Discretionary Fund. The PGM and I are extremely grateful for the donation which perfectly sums up Freemasonry in all its Degrees, particularly the Mark. This donation will be put to good use, in this case the Doc Bike appeal.
· 28th Jan 2025
The Brethren of Kinson Lodge No 1163 donated the very generous sum of £1000.00 to the Dorset Mark Discretionary Fund which I very gratefully received on behalf of the PGM. This brings Kinson Lodge’s total donation to the DMDF over the last 12 months to £3000.00. A truly magnificent sum for which the PGM and I are extremely grateful to the WM, Officers and Brethren for this staggering feat of generosity.
· 5th Jan 2025
I was very pleased to receive the sum of £105.00 on behalf of the PGM from the WM, Officers and Brethren of All Souls Lodge No 125 for the Dorset Mark Discretionary Fund. This will be added to the Doc Bike appeal.
· 5th Jan 2025
I gratefully received on behalf of the PGM the sum of £595.00 from the WM, Officers and Brethren of Portland Lodge No 133.
This was added to the Dorset Mark Discretionary Fund and in this case will go towards the Doc Bike appeal.