East Kent Freemasons Charity

Freemasons in East Kent Deliver Big for Local Charities

£51,000 donated as the Provincial Grand Master’s Awards celebrate the organisations transforming lives across East Kent.

Freemasons from across East Kent came together for an emotional and inspiring morning as the Province hosted the tenth annual Provincial Grand Master’s Awards, celebrating the very best of charitable work in our local communities.

More than 200 attendees, including VIPs, civic leaders, members of the Provincial Executive and Freemasons from across the county, gathered to recognise the extraordinary difference made by charities supported by Freemasonry.

Provincial Grand Master Neil Hamilton Johnstone opened the event with a warm welcome to all present, expressing particular delight in hosting distinguished guests including:
• Mrs Victoria Wallace, Deputy Lord Lieutenant of Kent
• Cllr Martin Round, Mayor of Maidstone
• The Very Reverend Dr Phillip Hesketh, Dean of Rochester Cathedral
• The Reverend Canon Andrew Dodd, Canterbury Cathedral

Celebrating the Power of Giving – and the Impact It Creates

Representatives from fifteen charities delivered moving and personal accounts of their work — stories that underlined just how vital community support is and how deeply the grants awarded by Freemasons impact local lives.

The charities recognised this year were:
The Family of Rubie Boyton
Fostering South East
Pilgrims Hospices
1st Medway Scout Group
Five Acre Wood School
Lifelites
Parkinson’s Centre for Integrated Therapy
National Coastwatch – Ramsgate
STAK.life
Whitstable Sea Cadets
Kent Association for the Blind
Ellenor Hospice
Age Concern Sandwich
Canterbury Hellfire Wheelchair Rugby Club
Rochester Cathedral Children’s Choir

These organisations represent the wide range of causes Freemasons in East Kent proudly support — from hospice care to disability sport, youth development, specialist medical support, sight loss services, foster care, and emergency response.

A Morning of Reflection, Celebration and Partnership

The event opened with a video presentation showcasing recent projects supported by the Cornwallis East Kent Freemasons Charity (CEKFC) — visual proof of how powerful our collective efforts can be.

Each charity received a Recognition Shield from the Provincial Grand Master, along with a digital CEKFC logo for use on their online platforms — a symbol of partnership and ongoing support.

In his address, the Provincial Grand Master praised the tireless commitment of the Province’s Lodges and Chapters, and the generosity of members, families and friends. He highlighted that working together with the CEKFC enables Freemasons in East Kent to deliver meaningful and lasting impact, year after year.

Over the past twelve months alone, more than £51,000 has been donated to local causes — a testament to what Freemasonry does best: supporting its community.

Additional Awards to Civic Leaders

Following the charity presentations, the Provincial Grand Master awarded cheques for £300 to the chosen charities of:
• The Deputy Lord Lieutenant of Kent
• The Mayor of Maidstone
• The Dean of Rochester Cathedral
• The Reverend Canon Andrew Dodd of Canterbury Cathedral

Community, Connection and Shared Purpose

The morning concluded with a buffet lunch, where Freemasons and charity representatives had the opportunity to network, share experiences, and build meaningful relationships.

The atmosphere throughout the event was one of pride, humility and genuine emotion — a celebration not only of giving, but of working together to build a stronger, kinder and more connected East Kent.

This is Freemasonry at its very best.