Leicestershire & Rutland Freemasons Charity has completed its £20,000 “Platinum Pledge” to national children's charity Lifelites, funding sensory and assistive technology now used by more than 750 seriously ill children and young people every year. Children and families at Rainbows Hospice use Lifelites technology to play, connect and build precious memories together. Leicestershire & Rutland Freemasons Charity (LRFC) has completed a four-year, £20,000 “Platinum Pledge” to Li

Marc Shackleton of the Vale of Catmos Lodge has successfully completed the Viking Way, walking an impressive 148 miles from Barton‑upon‑Humber to Oakham in support of the Rutland Rotaract Family Support Centre. Marc set off on Saturday 25 July, having travelled to Barton the day before, and reached his finishing point at Oakham Library at 6pm on 1 August. His journey took him through the rolling landscapes of the Lincolnshire Wolds, which he described as one of the most beaut

Six members of Hastings Lodge No. 8695 who meet at the Masonic Hall in Ashby de la Zouch, Leicestershire, visited the Renal Unit at Derby Royal Infirmary on Friday 14th August to present a donation in support of an important fundraising appeal. The Lodge was represented by Peter Jones, together with Mervyn Wass, Stuart Cooper, John Starkey, Tony Jones and Malcolm Bond. A cheque for £1,150 was handed over, although the Lodge’s total contribution amounted to £1,200. Supporting

The Old Oakhamian Lodge No. 8033 proudly welcomed brethren from across the country on Saturday 15th August 2026, as Oakham School hosted this year’s meeting of the Federation of School Lodges. The gathering brought together members from school‑linked Lodges nationwide for a day celebrating friendship, heritage, and the enduring traditions of academically connected Freemasonry. The Lodge was honoured by the attendance of Assistant Grand Master Stephen Varley and Past Assistant

The 2026 Leicestershire & Rutland Freemasons Raceday, held on Sunday 9 August, delivered another outstanding day of fundraising, fellowship, and live racing, all in support of LOROS Hospice and the Leicestershire & Rutland Freemasons’ Charity. Supporters, families, and Freemasons from across the two counties headed to Leicester Racecourse for what has quickly become one of the most anticipated charity fixtures of the summer. Rather than a standard day trackside, guests enjoye

The Lord Mayor of Leicester, Councillor Kulwinder Singh Johal, who took office on the 14th May 2026 and is serving for the 2026–27 civic year, visited Freemasons’ Hall Leicester this week to gain a deeper understanding of the charitable work carried out by Freemasons across the city and county. The visit also offered an opportunity to explore the historic and architecturally significant building on London Road, in the heart of Leicester. Councillor Johal was welcomed by Peter

Sometimes the greatest difference begins with a simple decision to give our time, energy and care to others. Martha Millington-Pipe, granddaughter of Mervyn Wass of Ferrers and Ivanhoe Lodge No. 779 in Ashby-de-la-Zouch, recently travelled to Kenya with Derby County Community Trust to volunteer at Jubilee School. What followed was a life-changing experience filled with teaching, laughter, friendship and practical service. Supported by her family and generous donations from Ha

In May this year, Rev’d Clive Watts, then Master of Grace Dieu Lodge No. 2428 in Coalville, travelled to Manila in the Philippines to spend two weeks volunteering with The Streetlight Trust. This UK charity supports the work of Kanlungan sa Er‑Ma Ministries, which provides vital care for some of the poorest and most vulnerable street children in the Ermita and Malate districts of the city. During his visit, Clive witnessed first-hand the challenges faced by children living in

Members of Jason Lodge No. 7716, Leicester’s Freemasons lodge dedicated to cycling, were proud to present a donation of £2,731 to Leicester Wheels For All in support of their Great Central Rides project. Leicester Wheels For All provides inclusive cycling opportunities for people of all ages and abilities, ensuring that everyone, regardless of experience or mobility, can enjoy the freedom and wellbeing that cycling brings. This donation will help the charity continue deliveri

On Wednesday 7th July, Pete Williamson and his wife Jean presented a generous £3,200 donation to The Robbie Anderson Cancer Trust at the Teenage Cancer Trust Unit (Ward 27) at Leicester Royal Infirmary. The donation comprised £1,600 raised at the Provincial Grand Chapter Annual Meeting in March, matched by a further £1,600 from the Leicestershire & Rutland Freemasons Charity, a combined effort reflecting the Royal Arch and Craft Province’s ongoing commitment to supporting you

A heartfelt donation of £1,000 has been made by local Royal Arch Freemasons to Samuel’s Promise, a community‑driven fund within The Children and Young People’s Cancer Association. The cheque was presented to Samuel’s parents at the Buttermarket in Mountsorrel, offering both financial support and a moving moment of remembrance for their son. Samuel, a Charnwood boy, lived in Rothley, played football for Mountsorrel Juniors, attended school in Quorn, and later studied at Loughb

The Masonic Fishing Charity (MTSFC) exists to “bring an interactive fishing and countryside experience to people with special needs.” It achieves this by organising both coarse and fly‑fishing events at fisheries across the country, inviting participants from special needs schools, specialist centres, and individuals who have experienced trauma. These days offer a unique opportunity for fun, confidence‑building, and meaningful connection with nature. Following the unfortunate

Bradgate Park was alive with activity on Saturday 13th and Sunday 14th June as the popular country park hosted a bustling open weekend near the central café. Around 40 stalls filled large marquees and individual gazebos, creating a vibrant marketplace for local groups, charities, and community organisations. Representing Leicestershire & Rutland Freemasonry, members of Lodge Semper Eadem, Matthew Zmija, Trevor Rogers, David Hall, Brent Goodwin and Ian Aldridge, set up the gaz

At the recent Installation Meeting of the Union of Rugby Lodge on Friday 8th May, members and guests came together in a remarkable show of generosity to support the vital work of Leicestershire & Rutland Blood Bikes. Thanks to the exceptional kindness and gracious permission of the newly installed Master, Joseph Maxim, a collection was held during the evening in aid of this life‑saving voluntary service. With the valued support of Daniel Quelch, Colin Brink, and Glen Reader,

More than 11,000 children across Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland will be better protected from online harm thanks to a £50,000 grant from the Freemasons, awarded to Warning Zone Children’s Safety Charity. The funding will support the development and delivery of Warning Zone’s online safety programme, helping Year 6 pupils prepare for the risks they face as they transition to secondary school. Children today are navigating an increasingly complex digital world. Risks

Leicestershire and Rutland Freemasons have provided £1,000 in funding to support Henry Hughes, an elite deaf swimmer who has been selected to represent Great Britain at the European Deaf Swimming Championships in October 2026. Due to a lack of funding, Henry had faced the prospect of withdrawing from the competition. The contribution, made in partnership with Joe Humphries Memorial Trust and its Inspire Project, has enabled him to secure his place at the event. Henry Hughes

The Leicestershire and Rutland Freemasons’ Charity (LRFC) has reinforced its commitment to community engagement and youth development through its sponsorship of the Philharmonia Orchestra and its flagship education initiative, Orchestra Unwrapped, in Leicester. The project, which introduces live orchestral music to primary school children across the city, gave more than 1,200 Key Stage 2 pupils and teachers - including SEND students - the opportunity to experience professiona

St Mary’s Lodge No. 7164 demonstrated the enduring strength of Freemasonry on 27 April 2026, when members gathered to welcome a new brother into the Craft. The meeting, always a highlight in any lodge’s calendar, was made even more memorable by the attendance of the Head of Leicestershire & Rutland Freemasonry, Peter Kinder, accompanied by a distinguished team of Provincial Officers. With the lodge room filled to capacity, the officers of St Mary’s delivered an exemplary cere

Pepper’s – a Safe Place – has received a £1,000 donation from St Mary’s Freemasons Lodge No. 7164 to support its new centre in Melton Mowbray, where the number of people using the service has doubled since the move. Located on Nottingham Street, the new centre is helping Pepper’s reach more adults in need of support with their mental health, emotional wellbeing and loneliness. Its welcoming and accessible setting has made it easier for people to drop in, connect with others a

This year’s Sportsman’s Dinner took place on Thursday, 19th March 2026, at the Leicester Tigers’ Welford Road Stadium. Now firmly established as a highlight in the calendar, the event once again delivered an evening of exceptional entertainment, camaraderie, and charitable generosity. Guests were treated to not one but two international sporting megastars as headline speakers. Presiding over the evening’s proceedings and returning by popular demand was Roger Dakin . A former