Cambridgeshire Freemasons have donated £16,000 to foodbanks supporting households struggling with the cost of living this Christmas.  

Masonic Lodges in Ely, March and Wisbech are among the contributors to the generous amount, which has been shared across six locations.  

The beneficiaries are food hubs, foodbanks and groups offering community lunches and include Ely Foodbank, Ely Community Lunches, The Rosmini Centre in Wisbech and March Community Fridge.  

Mark Upex, from Cambridgeshire Freemasons, said: “I’m very pleased we’ve been able to help foodbanks across the county with their hugely important work over the festive season.” 

Ely Standard:

The Rosmini Centre helps those who are struggling with day-to-day life. 

Support largely depends on individual, needs and could be in the form of general information and guidance, food parcels, daily lunches, employment advice and clothing.

Manger Anita Grodkiewicz said: “I would like to say a very big thank you for the grants we have received which we will use towards the collection and delivery of food to re-distribute to anyone who finds themselves in need or in crisis.  

“The grant has been especially helpful at this time due to the high numbers of people who find themselves in need of support and who are currently accessing our services".

Masonic Lodges in Cambridge and Newmarket also contributed towards the final amount, which included fund matching and additional support from two other charities.  

These were the Province of Cambridgeshire Charity for Care and Relief and the national Masonic Charitable Foundation, which is funded by Freemasons, their families and their friends.  

Ely Standard:

Mr Upex said he was “amazed” there was such a need for the service when he went to St Andrew’s Church, in Cherry Hinton, Cambridge.  

He said: “We were amazed at how much demand there was during our visit, with people from all walks of life queuing in the snow outside the church.   

“To see first-hand how our donations are helping people shows how vital it is that we keep supporting our communities, not just at Christmas but throughout the whole year.”

This is the second year Cambridgeshire Freemasons have supported foodbanks at Christmas.  

Other recent donations support children in accident and emergency departments via Teddies for Loving Care, the Muddy Boots Farm scheme at Highfield Ely Academy and March in Bloom.