15 local charities were this year honoured at the Middlesbrough Freemasons Charity Presentation Evening.
The Charity Presentation Evening is now an annual event, where Middlesbrough Freemasons, the Zetland Ladies’ Club (wives, widows, partners and daughters of Freemasons) and the representatives from their chosen local charities spend an evening together, during which they enjoy a meal, and then cheques are presented to all the representatives by the Middlesbrough Lodges, and the Zetland Ladies’ Club. Prior to the Presentation Evening, money donated was usually just given to the selected charities without any celebration.
The event this year, which donated a total of £15,500 to local charities, was hosted by W.Bro Ben Dorée , in the presence of the Provincial Grand Charity Steward W.Bro Des McKenzie and his wife Judith. It was an extremely successful evening, with over 70 guests from a variety of charities, including Teesside Hospice, Great North Air Ambulance, 4Louis, and the James Cook University Hospital Neonatal Unit.
As W.Bro McKenzie said: “The evident pleasure that all the charities expressed at being recognised and supported in their work and the pride that the Lodges, Chapters and Zetland Ladies displayed in their achievement in raising such a magnificent sum makes the evening so special. £15,500 in the current economic climate is an achievement and whatever sums were in the envelopes I have no doubt that it will make a difference to all those charities and organisations which received a donation. “
During the initial part of the evening, two people from the local hospital radio station, Radio Stitch, gave a short presentation of the work that they do, and all done by volunteers. W.Bro Andy Hill also gave a short presentation about the Teddies for Loving Care scheme, which has brought so much joy to many children who have been in hospital throughout the area.
The evening certainly demonstrated that Freemasonry, and the Zetland Ladies’ Club, remain supportive of the local communities and charities, and will continue to be so in the future.
