Folkestone, Hythe and Sandgate Freemasons raise some festive cheer in aid of the Hythe Salvation Army Food – Bank.

What started as casual conversation between Worshipful Brother Dennis Bradley with the Cornwallis East Kent Freemasons Charity (CEKFC) Secretary Peter West, to sound out the likely success of a single match funding application, developed into a multi-Lodge & Chapter initiative which together with the support of the CEKFC raised the magnificent sum of £4100 in aid o the local community.

Hythe and the surrounding area is not as affluent as it would first appear, demands on the foodbank were increasing, help was needed to increase its supplies.

Most of the credit must go to Stuart Bonomy of Temple Lodge & Chapter No 558 who administered the application as well as cajoling those involved ensuring the grant could be delivered in time for Christmas.

Local Royal Ark Mariner Lodges (RAM) heard about the initiative who together with the Kent Mark Benevolent Fund raised an additional £400 for the same cause.

The members of Temple Chapter went a stage further, its members donated bags of food too.

The efforts of local Masons from the various Lodges and Orders raised a total of £4500 making a vital contribution to the wellbeing of the homeless and vulnerable people of Hythe and the surrounding area.

The units involved included Prince Edwins Lodge No 125, Temple Lodge No 558, Temple Chapter No 558, Castle Lodge No 1436, and Castle Chapter No 1436.

Additional support was provided by Folkestone RAM lodge No 380, Amhurst RAM Lodge No 266 and the Kent Mark Benevolent Foundation.