PROVINCIAL GRAND MASTER’S CHARITY FUND

Grants Awarded for 2009

1. Supporting Grieving Children and Families in Kent.
This registered Charity is based in Gillingham and gives support to children and young people in Kent who have been bereaved. The programme organised by the Charity consists of grief support weekends run by trained professionals, one-to-one support following the weekends, as well as Group support to the children and advice for parents. The Charity currently runs three non-residential weekends each year which cost approximately £350 per child. They have a waiting list of children who need support. The Charity requests support to run further weekends - as these are entirely supported by charitable giving.

2. Faversham Assistance Centre.
This registered Charity was founded in 1986 by the Churches Together in Faversham. The aim is to bring individuals together to help elderly and disabled people on low incomes who cannot afford the services of professionals. The charity provides assistance with gardening, decorating and odd jobs (including minor electrical and plumbing repairs). Six practical workers are employed, three full time and three part-time and two part-time office workers. Work experience is provided for the unemployed and disabled, those with learning disabilities are offered work as volunteers, where they are able to learn new skills and grow in confidence. The charity not only operates in Faversham but also helps the elderly in Sittingbourne and the Isle of Sheppey. There is an established need to expand the service a little more into two local villages, for which purpose a van is essential and one worker is required to increase his hours by 15 hours p/w. The overall cost to fund the proposed changes is £7020. The charity requests support to assist in that expansion.

3. Pie Factory Music
A Thanet based registered Charity founded in 2002 which runs a “Music Action Zone” to enable young people to learn and experience music making. Since 2002 over 80,000 workshop spaces have been filled across East Kent enabling 25,000 different young people and children to access these workshops. In 2006 music industry courses for 16-19 year olds were introduced with the intention of giving young people a foothold in the music industry. The Charity has been mainly funded by The National Foundation for Youth Music and the Lottery but little of this funding allows the purchase of more equipment. The Charity currently owns 4 high standard laptop computers with sophisticated software by which means students learn about software and design concepts enabling rising bands to produce high quality websites, design portfolios and develop their skills prior to higher education. The Charity requires to expand this facility which requires the purchase of 6 new laptops and associated software. The overall cost is estimated at £6,300. Assistance is requested to assist in funding the proposed expansion.

4. Caring All Together on Romney Marsh.
A registered charity, Caring All Together on Romney Marsh (“CARM”), recruits and trains volunteers who work in groups of three to hold weekly reminiscence sessions for elderly people in residential care. Many of the residents are aged over 80 with limited mobility and sight or hearing disabilities. The initiative called “Our Memories Matter” uses objects that can be smelt, music, pictures and other items to trigger memories and encourage residents to share memories and enjoy the company of others. Without such sessions some residents do not socialise, becoming withdrawn and isolated. (an increasing problem in care homes for the elderly). The cost of running a reminiscence session is £140. The Charity asks for support in providing the necessary funding to continue this work.

5. First Headcorn Scout Group.
It is a thriving youth group which serves a wide rural area. The project involves building a completely new building on a “Greenfield site”, the centre will be used not only by the Scout Group but will also be available to other local organisations. The intention is to carry out the construction in two phases. Phase one is the construction of the external building for which funding is already available. Phase two concerns the internal furnishing of the building which requires the purchase of specific items, including doors, paint, a heating system and kitchen fixtures and fittings, the estimated cost of such items is in excess of £4,000. The Scout Group is a registered charity and they request support in meeting the cost of the fittings which are fundamental to the second phase of the building project.

6. Medway Division of the Girl Guides Association.
A request from a Freemason has been received soliciting support for the Medway Division of the Girl Guides Association who own a small plot of land in Walderslade where the Guides regularly camp out and take part in outdoor activities. There is a hut on the land in which the Guides store equipment and in which they shelter in inclement weather. The hut is dilapidated and beyond repair. The Girl Guide Association is raising money for a new hut; the aim is for it to be built during 2010 which is the Girl Guide Association’s centenary year. Support is requested in raising funds for this purpose

7. Greenhill Gymnastics Club.
Was founded in 1983 and is a voluntary club which operates from the school gymnasium at Herne Bay High School providing recreational and competitive gymnastic training for approximately 100 children, Pupils have achieved success in County, Regional and National levels. The Club is currently raising money for a “Tumble Track” which is a series of interlocking panels which slot together to form a track on which the gymnasts can safely perform. Each panel costs £800 + VAT, six panels are required at a total cost of £6,000 inc. VAT. Support is requested in raising funds for this purpose

8. Gillingham Air Cadets.
The Gillingham Air Cadets are a registered charity. The Squadron owns four side-drums with sticks and slings on which the Cadets have been practicing for some time with great success. Several cadets are involved and the Instructor now considers them to be of a sufficient standard to warrant the formation of a Corps of Drums. The existing drums are very old and the lack of equipment is now the only factor preventing the establishment of the corps. The provision of such equipment will not only enhance the Cadets musical ability but will expose them (male & female) to discipline and a sense of belonging. The intention is to take the drum corps to local events and fetes in order to promote the image of The Air Training Corps. The cost of 8 drums and associated equipment is £3828. Support is requested in raising funds for the purchase of the instruments.

9. Cruse Bereavement Care – Canterbury & Thanet Branch
The Canterbury and Thanet Branch of the Cruse Bereavement Centre was established in 1990 and provides help and support to bereaved people and their families through personal contacts and support groups. This registered charity requests support for the Canterbury and District branch which is merging later in the year with the Swale branch, in order to continue their work in the East Kent area. The Branches of Cruse have to be self financing and rely on local donations to undertake their work.

10. Chatham Marines Cadet Unit
The Chatham Marines Cadet Unit is a registered charity which provides the youth of the area with a structured and disciplined environment in which to develop self confidence, personal fitness and social skills, all of which help them in adult life whilst improving their immediate job prospects. The Charity has received a previous donation from The PGM’s Charity (2006). As part of the process of ongoing development it is necessary for cadets to attend proficiency courses which incur course fees and travel costs for them, some cadets need assistance in meeting these essential commitments. Support is requested to provide assistance for these young men and women in meeting these costs. The request is specifically requested for a five day visit to Gibraltar for 20 Cadets in 2010 which will cost £1,500.

11. Masonic Trout and Salmon Fishing Charity
The Province of East Kent has agreed to set up a branch of the Masonic Fishing Charity to enable disadvantaged children to enjoy Trout and Salmon fishing in East Kent. The request is for the costs in setting up this group in East Kent and for purchasing suitable equipment.

Kent Air Ambulance
The Freemasons Grand Charity has donated the sum of £4,000 to the Kent Air Ambulance a cheque for which sum was presented to them by the Provincial Grand Master.