Thousands of Ukrainian refugees as well as displaced people still inside Ukraine will be given help and support, thanks to half a million pounds raised by Sussex Freemasons and other Provinces across England and Wales
The money is being directed to charities working on the ground in Ukraine, as well as organisations helping refugees in neighbouring countries including Poland, Moldova, Romania, and in the UK.
The £500,000 was raised in less than three weeks and the total is still growing as Freemasons continue to dig deep to help the refugees.
The war in Ukraine has created by far the largest refugee crisis in Europe since the Second World War, and more people are fleeing Ukraine for countries to the west every day.
The chosen charities, each of which will receive £100,000, are:
Sussex Freemasons contributed to the grant through the Masonic Charitable Foundation, which is funded by Freemasons, their families and friends, from across England and Wales.
Maurice Adams, Deputy Head of Sussex Freemasons, said:
“Freemasons have an outstanding record helping those in need in this country and around the world, but this huge sum to support Ukrainian refugees was raised in record time. I’m very proud that Sussex Freemasons have been able to play such an important part in this essential work.”
People with learning disabilities and autism helped to find paid work, thanks to Freemasons
People with learning disabilities will receive support in finding employment, thanks to a grant of £61,323 from Sussex Freemasons to the East Sussex based Little Gate Farm charity.
The charity’s LEAPS project aims to help young people aged 16-25 who have learning disabilities and/or autism and want to find an apprenticeship but lack work related skills.
Support is provided through sessions on topics like skills in the workplace, budgeting, travel training, stress management, health and safety, positive thinking and effective communication. The project takes place on the charity’s 46-acre farm and in workplaces in Hastings & Bexhill.
All participants in the LEAPS programme have a learning disability and/or autism, and some have associated physical medical, mental health, emotional problems or disabilities. They are all individually assessed and the support is tailored to each person’s needs.
Young adults with learning disabilities are faced with challenges and exclusion when it comes to work, with only six per cent of them in paid employment in the UK, compared with 95 per cent of the general population.
The results of the project have been very positive; all past LEAPS participants have gone onto supported apprenticeships or to work training at the farm, and the employment rate for people with learning disabilities and autism in East Sussex has increased from five per cent to 7.2 per cent since the charity was founded.
The grant from Sussex Freemasons comes through the Masonic Charitable Foundation, which is funded by Freemasons, their families and friends, from across England and Wales.
Tracy Smith from Little Gate Farm, said:
“We’re incredibly grateful to Sussex Freemasons who are supporting one of our four important projects, LEAPS, which will help expand employment opportunities for young people with disabilities and/or autism.
Our aim is to help bridge the gap in paid employment between those who have disabilities and those who don’t, and this generous grant will help us to do so.”
Michael Harris, Chairman of the Sussex Freemasons Community Charity, (pictured) said:
“We’re delighted to be supporting this fantastic charity which is working hard to help more adults with learning disabilities find paid employment and the confidence and independence that comes with it. With a national employment rate of six per cent among this community, it is clear there is a lot to be done, and it’s encouraging to see Little Gate Farm making a real difference.”
The Da Vinci system makes it possible for surgeons to operate with amazing accuracy through a few small incisions. This allows for better patient outcomes due to the minimally invasive surgery, and leads to a shorter length of stay in hospital.
The existing Da Vinci system at the hospital has proven to be very successful, but after nine years of use it has finally reached the end of its working life and needs replacing to maintain standards of operating excellence and patient outcomes.
Thanks to the donation from the Sussex Freemasons Community Charity the hospital is now well on the way to achieving its appeal target and has been able to purchase the much needed equipment.
Chair of the Friends of Eastbourne Hospital, Dr Harry Walmsley said “ I am delighted to say that the Friends are half way to their target having recently had a donation of £50,000 from the Sussex Freemasons Community Charity. The Friends are extremely grateful to Sussex Freemasons for their generosity and support”
Michael Harris, Chair of the Sussex Freemasons Community Charity said “Sussex Freemasons are proud to support the work that the surgeons, nurses and all the staff at the Eastbourne District General Hospital do, and we recognise the important role that this equipment plays in maintaining the EDGH as the Regional Centre of Excellence for the treatment of kidney, bladder, and prostate cancer.”
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