THE YORKSHIRE MASON SUMMER 2024 3
'And they're off....'
Festival 2029 has been
officially launched at
Provincial Grand Lodge.
Representatives from the MCF Les
Hutchinson (MCF CEO) and Howard Wilson
(trustee) were invited to update the audience
on what assistance the MCF gives within and
outside of Freemasonry in general and then
specifically what support the Province had
received, which was considerable and
continues to help numerous masons, their
families, local charities and communities to a
total of circa £3.1M since the end of Festival 18
which raised £1.8M. See page 16 of this issue.
Although no firm figure was set for the
festival by the Provincial Grand Master, he
urged everybody to get involved and raise as
much as possible, and suggested that lodges
not only include their members in the
fundraising activities, but also the wider
masonic family in terms of wives, partners,
family and friends to assist with their
endeavours. A challenge that was not missed
by those family and friends who had
attended the meeting to watch their family
members receiving honours.
The Provincial Grand Master stressed that one
of the easiest ways to support festival was to
sign up for the continuous giving at £10 per
month, something that many in the Province
have already done with around £300K already
pledged.
The launch was a huge success with many
signing up for continuous giving on launch
day and lots of merchandise sold: circa £2.5K.
In total around £19K was raised and pledged
on the day. Many thanks to all and good luck
with your fundraising.
Dave Wood