YORKSHIRE MASON AUTUMN 2024 3
Since forming in October 2022, the F29 team has
been engaged with the planning and organising of
the launch last May and laying the foundations for
future success by forming a strong committee and
Ambassador Group. The Pre-Launch events were
widely supported, well received and had tangible
benefits for those who attended. This was illustrated
by a total of 557 donating towards the Festival
Continuous Giving scheme. In recognition, they
became Festival Stewards and were presented a
Festival Jewel from MCF, as an acknowledgement
and thanks for their generous contribution.
There have been considerable changes of
appointments in Lodges since the pre-launches.
Therefore, if your Lodge would like the F29 team to
visit and carry out an F29 presentation, please
contact any of the team via our festival website
https://ynerfestival29.org.uk, or liaise with your F29
Ambassador who can also deliver a presentation.
Hopefully you will have seen F29 merchandise
including gloves, ties (which can be worn in both
Craft and Chapter), lapel badges and cuff links,
which are proving extremely popular, with more
items to be added in the future. These items are
available through the F29 Ambassadors or
alternatively contact the team through the Festival
website.
Leading up to the official launch of Festival29 the
F29 team designed a Festival Booklet. The booklet
explains the various methods by which you can
donate and how to raise funds, either individually or
as a Lodge. If preferred, there is also a form to set
up a donation in this booklet. Lodges should have
sufficient copies of the Festival Booklet for each
member. An electronic version is also available on
the Festival website and should have already been
sent to you via email.
The Festival website has a lot of information on F29
and all members of the Province should familiarise
themselves with it, as it will answer many questions
you may have about F29. If you are unable to find
what you are looking for, please contact any of the
Festival Committee whose details you will find on
the site.
The Festival Committee are planning fundraising
events across the Province. These events will range
from individual endeavours, such as Committee
members carrying out a tandem parachute jump, to
larger events such as coffee mornings, dinner
nights, functions and BBQs. The F29 team will
support individuals who want to assist in organising
individual events but may not have time to join the
committee, so if you or your Lodge is planning an
F29 event let the team know. All Lodges will be
informed ahead of time of any up-and-coming
events.
Festival 29 fundraising has already benefited from
the Coast to Coast cycle ride, led by Gary Calder and
accompanied by Michael Saxby, Natalie Carnall
jumping out of aircraft and Dave Grainger running
the York 10K, to name a few. There are many ways
you can raise money. Make it fun - it is easy to set up
an online fundraising page. It just takes a few
minutes and an easy way for family and friends to
sponsor you. If you require help then please contact
any of the F29 team.
Brethren, it is understood and acknowledged that it
is not going to be easy, but with a community spirit,
we can achieve great things. F29 has made a
brilliant start, so please assist the F29 Team in
keeping up this momentum.
Finally, remember that since 2016 this Province has
itself received £3.1m from the MCF to support
brethren in need. The MCF continues to support 44
adults and 22 children in our Province, a few
examples of which are featured in the Festival
Booklet. Please raise and donate what you can to
enable the MCF to continue to support the brethren
and families in our own Province and beyond.
Martin Eggermont, Festival Committee Chair