Your votes the key to handing out charity cash gifts
AN ONLINE public vote is being held to decide which local charities in West Lancashire will receive up to £25,000 each, as part of Freemasonry’s 300th anniversary celebrations.
Freemasons have nominated eight good causes to receive West Lancashire’s share of a special £3m Community Awards Tercentenary Fund.
The charities that West Lancashire has selected for the public vote are:
Survivors of Bereavement by Suicide (Leigh);
Wargrave House School and College (Newton-leWillows);
Sefton Women’s and Children’s Aid; Salford Women’s Aid; Headway (Blackpool, Wyre & Fylde);
St Helens Carers Centre;
Sefton Children’s Trust;
League of Welldoers (Liverpool).
Anyone who wishes to vote for one of the nominated charities should visit mcf.org.uk/vote, select the West Lancashire page and vote for the charity of their choice.
All the nominated charities are guaranteed to receive a grant, but the public vote will determine the amount from £4,000, up to £25,000.
Voting opened on Monday, and closes on Monday, July 31.
The results will be announced in August.
The £3m fund, which is being distributed to mark the 300th anniversary of the formation of the first Grand Lodge, in 1717, is being administered by the Masonic Charitable Foundation and will be distributed to 300 charities around the country.
The Masonic Charitable Foundation receives all of its funding from Freemasons and their families.
It is estimated that half of Freemasonry’s total charitable expenditure of more than £33m goes to charities that help people in communities around the country.
Tony Harrison, from West Lancashire Freemasons, said: “We are delighted to be able to invite the whole community to join our 300th anniversary celebrations by helping us to decide which of these excellent local charities should receive the highest award.
“Every vote counts, so I encourage everyone from West Lancashire to visit the website and take part.”
To vote for your favourite charity in West Lancashire to win up to £25,000, visit mcf.org.uk/vote