On Thursday 29th October, members of the Masonic Samaritan Fund raised their hands as one, and in doing so paved the way for a new era in central Masonic Charity.

The members had been asked to vote on proposals to bring together the activities of the four existing central Masonic Charities under a new, overarching charity: the Masonic Charitable Foundation.

The MSF vote was the last of four to take place, with members of the Grand Charity, the Royal Masonic Trust for Girls and Boys and the Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution voting across September and October. All four votes were unanimously in favour.

The Masonic Charitable Foundation will provide the full range of Masonic and community support currently available and will be one of the largest charities in the country. It is anticipated that the Foundation will be registered with the Charity Commission as soon as possible and that it will begin making grants from 1 April.

For regular updates, you can also follow the Masonic Charitable Foundation on Twitter and like their Facebook page.