Charity

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(v.l. Dirk Hennemann, Kathrin Dömer. Glyn Edmonds, Ines Viermann.)

This year the First Grand Principal Glyn Edmonds charity project check was presented by INVENIMUS Chapter No. 12. The residential group (AWG) in the town of Erwitte is one of several homes for 7 to 8 children aged 6 to a maximum of 21. The children receive intensive care as a result of devastating family experiences, including being taken into care due to physical, psychological or sexual violence. We were overwhelmed by the positive response and the willingness of our companions to donate. The wonderful amount of 11,000 euros was raised.

On 17.12.23, Glyn (SGCBRAMG) and Dirk (INVENIMUS) handed over the donation cheque to the Erwitte intensive care group from the Olsberg Youth Welfare Service. This was an opportunity to get to know some of the children, carers and the educational director. After having breakfast together, a tour of the centre followed. Two of the children proudly showed us their room and Glyn spontaneously helped a child to hang up a picture of their family. 

We learnt a tremendous amount about the backgrounds, stories and experiences of the children that led them to this new home. But we also learnt a lot about the outstanding work that the carers do each and every day with extraordinary levels of commitment. Unfortunately, there are far too few places and homes and always too little funding, which does not allow for many other things than the basic levels of care. Our donation will help the children at the AWG Erwitte and several other children at Jugendhilfe Olsberg. We were deeply grateful and would like to thank all chapters for their willingness to donate. A safe home and a secure childhood cannot be taken for granted. You have made it possible for some children’s faces to smile.

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“Please find above a first impression of the kitchen that you and your organisation donated to our children’s and youth residential community. We are very happy about the new equipment and all the new amenities. We would like to thank you and your fellow campaigners for the pre-Christmas gift and look forward to the handover in January.”

“Pestalozzi” Children’s home in Borna for socially disadvantaged children

The Stella Saxoniae RAC No. 11, Dresden, was chosen to propose a project on social welfare to be sponsored by the SGCBRAM’s Charity Fund, this year. Having sorted out several possibilities, our Principals, together with our Charity Steward, finally decided to support the “Pestalozzi Kinderhaus, Borna” – home for children coming from for socially disadvantaged children.

At present, in a small town called Borna, Saxony, 30 km southeast of Leipzig city currently live 35 children and young people who need a substitute home. In principle, children between the ages of three and eighteen are cared for and accompanied. If siblings are admitted special considerations regarding their relationships are taken.

The children should experience normality here, normal everyday life with frustration, fun, joy, boredom, stress, relationship problems and success situations. We recreate the everyday life of a family. They go to school normally; they have homework, free time and duties. They learn to keep order and cleanliness of their own accord. They learn that violence or egoism has no basis in a community-based society. They learn all this in everyday life, because like others, in and out of the community, always learn from their own “misbehaviour” as well as from the positive individual’s positive behaviour. This is how the social fabric grows.

Regardless of which path the children and adolescents take at the end of the inpatient care, they should be able to use the skills they have acquired here to find their way in their social and professional environment with as few difficulties as possible and to manage their lives relatively independently.

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Blesma, The Limbless Veterans

The Grand Lodge of British Freemasons in Germany (GLBFG) was approached earlier in the year by Blesma, The Limbless Veterans charity with a request for financial support.

The First Grand Principal Most Excellent Companion John “Shiny” MacKinnon expressed that The Supreme Grand Chapter of British Royal Arch Freemasonry in Germany (SGCBRAMG) would also support this charitable cause, and would donate at least €1000 towards it.

Chapter and Companions who wished to make a contribution to this cause, ensured that donations were transferred to the SGCBRAMG Bank Account in a timely manner (details about making any donations can be requested by completing the contact form on the Contacts page).

In September all moneys collected which amounted to €2000 were transferred, in full, to Blesma. The First Grand Principal was delighted to receive so much support from the Chapters and Companions and shows the commitment our members have towards this and charitable aid in general.

The combined amount presented by Worshipful Brother Chris Bilson, Grand Charity Steward & Right Excellent Companion Roddy Mackenzie, Third Grand Principal to Blesma representative Ian Harper – Director Independence and Wellbeing totaled at €6000. This was made up from donations collected by SGCBRAMG, GLBFG & Knights Templar Preceptories from within Germany.

 

The Christmas Stamp Home

The First Grand Principal’s Charity Cause for 2021 is The Christmas Stamp Home, nominated by Northern Star RAC No.10. raised €8500

The Christmas Stamp Home, Hobro, is one of five Christmas Stamp Homes in Denmark. The Home’s aim is for a child’s life to be without bullying, loneliness and lack of well-being. The Homes rehabilitate children who have suffered from bullying and loneliness. Children will typically stay for a period of 10 weeks, in which they are tutored in small groups and offered support.

Sometimes children have suffered for 2 or 3 years before seeking help. Other times they will carry around their pain for decades before they feel safe enough to seek help. This can be after succumbing to addictions, other times they are in a constant battle between fighting an addiction and/or depression. Helping a child to live without bullying helps people live a lifetime free of that trauma!

The Christmas Stamp Home originated when Postmaster Einar Holbell realised that at Christmas time you could, by voluntary postage, raise money to support sick children. The following year the world’s first Christmas Stamp Home was established and this has formed the basis for the establishment of the further homes in Denmark.

Regrettably, due to the demise of the Christmas stamp and the rise in digital mail the Christmas Stamp Homes are now further reliant on support and donations from other sources.

COVID the past year has caused a burden to many but it is hoped that ways can be found
to contribute to what is such a worthwhile cause.

Please contact for Grand Charity Steward via the contact form for more information about donating or questions

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This year saw Southern Star RAC No 8 taking the lead in raising funds for UN Refugee Aid.

The UNO refugee aid is the German donation partner of UNHCR – the refugee aid agency of the United Nations who have been supporting projects for refugees in Germany and abroad since 1980.

The Companions raised and donated a tidy sum of €4500 which was presented 26 Oct 2018

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On January, 18th, the FP of Keys & Pillars Chapter No. 3 and Officers of the SGCBRAMG presented a cheque to the general manager of the hexenHaus.

The hexenHaus is an organisation advising and helping people (female/male) in crisis situations and also a domestic violence shelter.

The Companions have donated € 3750.00

The money collected will be used to improve what is being offered to help and support children in particular.

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Details to be published

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The First Grand Principal nominated Niedersachsen Royal Arch Chapter No 4 as the sponsor for the Grand Chapter Charity appeal for 2014, the late First Principal of Chapter 4 decided our Chapter would like to help a cause within the Hanover area, he decided along with the members to nominate:

The institute for Children with cancer in Hanover

The First Principal of our chapter past to the eternal East on the 6th February 2014, but members of the Chapter worked on the cause throughout the year, especially the Scribe Ezra.

Supreme Grand Chapter of British Royal Arch Masonry of Germany was therefore delighted to present a cheque to the institution on Wednesday 21st January 2015 to the value of €4,600; the SGCBRAMG was represented by the First Grand Principal Most Excellent Companion Bill Beardmore, the First Principal of RAC 4 Excellent Companion Stew Cunningham and Very Excellent Companion Roddy Mackenzie.

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The Charity raised the sum of €7.000

A cheque was presented by the ME FGP to the coordinator of the project:

MAYANA COMMUNITY WATER PROJECT (MCWP) MISSION STATEMENT

To bring water to the Mayana community in a safe, convenient location.

To provide water for domestic animals and crops.

To enable the Mayana community to become self-sufficient & self-sustaining.

To encourage the Mayana community to move permanently out of the flood plains by providing them with a local water supply.

To conserve the flood plains and riverine areas, as well as to encourage & support the return of riverine flora and fauna.