Open Your Heart To Those In Need
Garden of England Lodge No. 6583 Charitable work.
Our members believe they have an enviable charity track record, and have supported well known names in national charity and numerous local, or on their door step, organisations. Some, our Master’s, or members, have even had personal experience with them. Whenever possible, our donations have been presented, in person, by our Worshipful Master or our Charity Steward. On occasion, the Lodge has hosted representatives of organisations to their festive board, or social events, to receive our support, and the following such charitable organisations feature in our hearts, (in no particular order).
Cornwallis East Kent Freemasons
The aim of the Cornwallis East Kent Freemasons’ Charity is to continue to support charities and voluntary organisations within the communities of the Masonic Province of East Kent as well as assisting individuals inappropriate cases. This, again, is a truly Masonic charity working in our local community and continually receives our periodic support in addition to supporting the Provincial Grand Master's ' Restoration Work at Canterbury Cathedral' Appeal throughout the time of the work.
West Kent Hospital Radio
Broadcasting to the Hospitals of Maidstone started in 1963, broadcasting to the 'Oakwood Hospital', the 'West Kent Hospital' started to receive the service in 1965, and the 'Linton Hospital ' two years after that. Also in 1967 becoming 'Hospital Radio Maidstone' after being awarded charitable status and is run by a team of dedicated volunteers. HRM broadcasts to the patients of Maidstone General, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Our support was given in respect of W/B Cyril Horne PM.
Blackthorn Trust
The Blackthorn Trust offers medical care, specialist therapies and rehabilitation through work placements in the Blackthorn Garden. We offer help to people with mental or physical health difficulties or learning disabilities.
Demelza Hospice
Demelza provides clinical care, therapies, specialised activities and practical support across Kent, South East London and East Sussex.
Lifeboats
The Royal National Lifeboat Institution is a registered charity that saves lives at sea. It provides the 24-hour lifeboat search and rescue service to 50 miles out from the coast of the United Kingdom. The RNLI continues to rely on voluntary contributions and legacies for its income. Within Kent there are eight stations. Donation raised at our Christmas Wide Table meeting in 2006.
Junior Class
Help for Heroes was founded in October 2007 out of a desire to help the wounded Servicemen and women. Anyone who volunteers to serve in time of war, knowing that they may risk all, is a hero. These are ordinary people doing extraordinary things and some of them are living with the consequences of their service for life.
National Memorial
The National Memorial to the Few at Capel-le-Ferne, is cared for by the Battle of Britain Memorial Trust, has played host to a number of commemorative events throughout 70th anniversary year in 2010. At each of those events people paid tribute to Churchill's "Few", the almost 3,000 aircrew whose bravery and, in some cases, sacrifice, kept this country free in 1940. Our donation was made in memory of our departed brother, W/B Jimmy Corbin, a Past Master and long serving member of this lodge and decorated Spitfire pilot.
Kent Air Ambulance
The Kent Air Ambulance, which became The Kent, Surrey & Sussex Air Ambulance Trust, based near Maidstone, provides a Helicopter Emergency Medical Service. They operate 24 hours a day, ensuring they can be there for the most critically ill and injured people in the region. Their medical crew scan provide highly specialist care at the scene. The charity relies almost entirely on donations and fundraising. Their representative twice joined us at our festive board to receive our donations.
TLC Appeal East Kent
The use of the teddies has been proved to have beneficial effects for children admitted to hospital A & E units - by relieving the distress that they face and alleviating the fear of the being treated by complete strangers. This is a truly Masonic charity working in our local community and continually receives our periodic support.
The Royal British Legion
The Royal British Legion provides lifelong support for the Armed Forces community - serving men and women, veterans, and their families. We donate annually.
Macular Disease Society
This was our 2008 Master's charity. The Macular Disease Society is a self-help society for those diagnosed with any of the eye conditions encompassed by the overall name of Macular Disease. Now the largest patient group for visually impaired people in the UK and have over 170 support groups. The Society is dedicated to providing information and practical support so that those with the condition may make the most of their remaining vision.
Cancer Research UK
Cancer Research UK is the world's largest independent cancer research organization. It is registered as a charity in the United Kingdom and Isle of Man, and was formed on 4 February 2002 by the merger of The Cancer Research Campaign and the Imperial Cancer Research Fund.
Heart of Kent Hospice
Independent charity providing specialist end of life care for people facing the challenge of a terminal illness. Their area includes Maidstone, Aylesford, Tonbridge & Malling, and the surrounding villages. They care for over 1,300 patients and their families each year, improving their quality of life and helping to make every day precious. This lodge has assisted the annual Masonic Maidstone street collections as well as giving their own periodic support to this charity.
Prostate Cancer
1 in 8 men will get prostate cancer. If you’re over 50, or you’re black, or your dad or brother had it, you’re at even higher risk. Prostate cancer is not always life-threatening. But when it is, the earlier you catch it the more likely it is to be cured.
Crohn’s & Colitis UK
We are the UK’s leading charity in England & Wales and Scotland in the battle against Crohn’s Disease and Ulcerative Colitis and have dozens of free information booklets and guides that demystify Crohn’s and Colitis for anyone affected by them, including friends, family, medical professionals and even employers. This was our 2004 Master's charity
TOFS Charity
TOFS is a registered, UK-based charity and a limited company, dedicated to providing emotional support to families of children born with Tracheo-Oesophageal Fistula, Oesophageal Atresia and associated conditions. These are rare congenital conditions that affect one in every 3,500 babies. This can be an extremely difficult time for parents. From that first moment to sharing the everyday challenges of bringing up a child with TOF/OA. TOFS offers friendship, support and information. This was our 2006 Master's charity.
Macmillan Cancer Support
Macmillan, in Kent, improves the lives of people affected by cancer locally. They provide practical, medical, emotional and financial support and push for better cancer care. Cancer affects us all. Macmillan help in Kent. This was our 2016 Master's charity
