More than £26k is raised by raffles

WHEN the idea of the Community Chest project was floated by editor of

The News, Mark Waldron, it followed more than a year of charitable fundraising events by local freemasons.

As the pandemic hit member Hampshire and Isle of Wight member Sue Lant set up a virtual raffle held every Friday with her husband Graham.

Members could buy raffle tickets online and then watch the draw via a video stream.

Between April 2020 and June 2021 a total of 62 raffles were held, raising a staggering £26,511.74, which was split between 39 charities.

Sue said: ‘Not only were we helping really deserving charities but I think the raffles gave lots of people something to look forward to every Friday, especially during the lockdowns.

‘Giving to charity is so important to us.’

Communications officer for the Hampshire and

Isle of Wight group Roger Maber, added: ‘People join Freemasonry for many different reasons, some join for the friendships they will make that last a lifetime.

‘They meet people from different walks of life, span of ages and different life experiences but they are drawn together through the common experience and principles of Freemasonry.

‘Kindness and giving are deeply ingrained within those principles.

‘Our organisation provides a support structure that helps members make a positive contribution to communities and worthwhile causes through fundraising and volunteer work.

‘This is so well demonstrated by the men and women Freemasons who have worked so hard and successfully raised the monies for the local charities which received cash awards at the Community Chest charity evening.

‘Graham Lant and his team won’t stop here. Tomorrow they start working towards the next Community Chest charity awards evening which is going to be held at Gosport Masonic Centre during the early part of next year. And I know they are very much looking forward to receiving the readers’ nominations for these next awards.’