What started as casual conversation between Dennis Bradley and Peter West, Secretary of the Cornwallis East Kent Freemasons Charity soon turned into a multi-unit, multi-order initiative in support of the Hythe Salvation Army foodbank.
The KMBF’s Paul Settle (left) can be seen here with staff from the Foodbank, along with Peter Walkden of Folkestone R.A.M. Lodge
and John Linkin of Amherst & Folkestone R.A.M. Lodges
Dennis spoke with Peter to sound out the likely success of a single match funding application from Hythe’s Prince Edwin’s craft Lodge in support of the town’s Salvation Army foodbank, but things soon evolved with masonic units from Hythe, Folkestone and Sandgate all becoming involved, which together with the support of the CEKFC and KMBF raised the magnificent sum of more than £4500 in aid of the local community.
Hythe and the surrounding area is not as affluent as it would first appear, and 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, who administered the initial application as well as cajoling those involved, ensuring that the grants could be delivered in time for Christmas. Members of Temple Chapter went a stage further, with members donating bags of food too.
Local Royal Ark Mariner and Mark Lodges heard about the initiative, and together with joint-funding from the Kent Mark Benevolent Fund raised more than £400 to contribute to the cause.
The combined efforts of local Masons from the various Orders made a vital contribution to the wellbeing of the homeless and vulnerable people of Hythe, Folkestone and the surrounding area.
Units involved in raising the £4,500+ included:
Prince Edwin’s Lodge No.125
Temple Lodge No.558
Temple Chapter No.558
Castle Lodge No.1436
Castle Chapter No.1436
Folkestone R.A.M. Lodge No.380
Amherst R.A.M. Lodge No.266
Shorncliffe & Hythe Mark Lodge No.767