Doing Our Bit
Caring about others is an essential part of Freemasonry and most Lodges will be involved in giving back to the community in various ways. Caer Caradoc Lodge has a long tradition of charitable activities. These are some of the activities that we have been involved in.
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Whether you are a Freemason or not, if you are experiencing serious difficulty we may be able to help you. Contact us.
Dream on Florida
On three occasions, the Lodge took a group of poorly children on a grand adventure to Disneyland in Florida. It all began at a Christmas Social Function in 1999 when the Master of the Lodge, Robert Beaver, had a discussion with one of his guests. He relayed the circumstances of the ambition of one poorly boy to visit Disneyland in Florida who sadly died before it could be realised. It was put to the Lodge Social Committee that perhaps Caer Caradoc Lodge would be able to make a dream come true for other poorly children. The project was supported by the Provincial Grand Lodge Of Shropshire. The committee contacted Birmingham Children’s Hospital who were able to identify a number of families with poorly children who would benefit from such a trip. The cost was estimated at £22,000. After a mammoth fundraising effort, the target was reached and 5 families with 9 poorly children suffering from Cystic Fibrosis and Down’s Syndrome were taken on an all expenses paid holiday of a lifetime to Disneyland. The party totalling 21 included a qualified nurse and the social committee (who paid their own costs) acting as chaperones.
Four years later in 2003, the then Master, Charlie Pearson, proposed to the Lodge that they put on another similar trip. On this occasion it was in conjunction with Cancer Rainbow Ward at the Royal Shrewsbury Hospital. Another mammoth fundraising effort generated £44,000 and that year, 8 poorly children and their families, a qualified nurse and the lodge members again went to Disneyland.
With surplus money, a final trip was organised in 2007 for 5 more families whose children had received treatment at the Rainbow Ward made the trip to Disneyland.
The final surplus of £2,982 was presented to the Rainbow Ward by the then Master, David Heywood.
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Teddies for Loving Care TLC
TLC is a charitable organisation run by volunteers from Masonic Lodges. It donates teddy bears to hospital Accident and Emergency departments and children's wards, to give comfort to children who are distressed by the experience of being in hospital. It began in 2010 when one Freemason decided to raise money for his local A&E and grew from there into a worldwide initiative. Since 2010 TLC has donated nearly two million teddy bears in the UK alone.
Santa Sleigh
Every Christmas, Santa and his elves accompany us around the local area greeting children and adults and collecting money for local causes. So far, over £10,000 has been raised and distributed locally.
Masonic Fishing Charity
The aim of The Masonic Fishing Charity is to bring interactive fishing and countryside experience to children with disadvantaged backgrounds and children and adults with learning difficulties. The charity started in 2000 and has gradually spread to many provinces throughout the country. The Shropshire branch held its first evening in 2011 and usually holds three or four events per year.
We do fly and course fishing and although the branches are run by freemasons we are always looking for casters and helpers who may not be from a masonic background. It is a requirement for all volunteers to be DBS checked and we provide this service free of charge.
If you would like to join us to see the enjoyment that those involved get from a day’s fishing, please contact Peter or Petrina on 01948 780218 or email peterrobinsonfeeds@hotmail.co.uk you will be amazed at the joy these days can bring.
COVID19 PPE
During the first wave of the virus in 2020, when it became clear that Personal Protective Equipment was in short supply, Freemasons responded by purchasing 3D printers and manufacturing visors to be donated free of charge to care homes around the country.