The Young Lives Foundation (YLF), an independent children’s charity in Kent with expertise in Advocacy, Mentoring and Youth Programmes, has just become the second recipient of a four-figure Kent Mark Benevolent Fund (KMBF) donation under the banner of the Provincial Grand Master’s KMBF Charity Challenge*.
Four KMBF Trustees Alan Short, Paul Settle, Ian Gallehawk and Robin Evans recently visited their Maidstone HQ, close to the Masonic Centre in Tovil, to meet with their Chief Executive Officer, Stephen Gray and Fundraising Coordinator, Amy Claw. Whilst there, they learned more about YLF’s award-winning work and presented them with a cheque for £2,500.
Quite simply, YLF want all young people across Kent to live in communities where they are heard, are safe and supported; with opportunities to thrive. They provide this in a unique way through the three pillars of advocacy, mentoring and supporting care leavers.
KMBF Trustee, Robin Evans commented: “It was fascinating to learn first-hand how The YLF support young people across a spectrum of ages and personal circumstances right across the county, and how their interventions measurably change lives in a positive way. It was clear that much of YLF’s work and methods mirror the lessons that we learn in the Mark and Royal Ark Mariner degrees, such as overcoming adversity through understanding our strengths and weaknesses, and the analogies drawn between the dangers of the flood and the dangers of life. Ultimately how we can strive to reach ‘The Ark’.”
YLF CEO, Stephen Gray added: “We are incredibly grateful for this generous donation from the Kent Mark Benevolent Fund, which will make a lasting difference to the lives of young people across Kent. This funding will enable us to support our young people by giving them access to safe and supportive weekly youth groups, trauma-informed mentoring, holiday activities, nutritious meals and additional support throughout the year, including Christmas gifts.
He continued: “At YLF, we believe every young person deserves the opportunity to feel safe, valued and hopeful about their future. Thanks to this support, we can continue to provide trusted relationships and positive experiences that build confidence, resilience and a sense of belonging within their communities. As more than 70% of our frontline work is delivered by our incredible trained volunteers, every donation goes even further, helping us reach more young people and maximise our impact. Together, we are investing in brighter futures, improving education and employment aspirations, strengthening communities, reducing vulnerability and helping young people thrive well into adulthood. We sincerely thank you for choosing to invest in the potential of the next generation.”
*The Provincial Grand Master’s KMBF Charity Challenge is an initiative announced by Martyn Summers, at his Investiture in September 2025. In addition to their important work in scrutinising and approving incoming requests for charitable and benevolent support, he challenged the KMBF Trustees to go out and look for up to three worthy causes within the Province who may not know about its work, and whose goals and aspirations were similar to the moral messages found in the Mark and R.A.M. degrees – overcoming adversity and striving for improvement. The intention being to give them all a sizeable donation to allow them to continue their important work within the Mark Province of Kent.
This donation to The Young Lives Foundation, is the second of three sizeable grants under the initiative, the first also being for £2,500 to cancer charity Odyssey, who deliver residential courses for people living with and beyond cancer. In total, the three donations will exceed £10,000.