Don’t you just love it when a plan comes together? For Passing on Hope this exactly what happened!

But to tell this story let me inform you two teams of dedicated Masons you may not have heard of!.

In 1987 the then two Lodges meeting in the Denman’s Head public house in Sutton in Ashfield, Elliot and de Sutton, formed the “Joint Sutton Freemasons” Non Masonic Charity Committee and the nine Lodges meeting at Mansfield formed the “Mansfield Charity Stewards Committee”. The Objective being to donate monies to local Charities within their respective catchment area’s. Both committees still exist today and albeit that the Sutton based Lodges moved to Mansfield in 1989, they still retain their committee, currently under the Chairmanship of W Bro Gordon Beastall, to provide focus to the Ashfield area and in fact, have been joined by the Ashfield Lodge in that committee. The Mansfield Charity Stewards Committee under the Chairmanship of W Bro Mike Bull, comprises of all 13 of the Mansfield based Lodges, with the Ashfield Lodge holding dual membership.

Not surprisingly then that “Passing on Hope” local project based in Stanton Hill, came to the attention of “The Mansfield Charity Stewards” as real opportunity to provide help and assistance to a group in real need. They recognized that with limited resources and to be fully effective, more Masonic support was needed to share the vision and reach a bigger goal.

Passing on Hope became a registered Charity in 2007, and was formed through the three local Churches at Stanton Hill, Teversal and Skegby, of which St Andrews at Stanton Hill acts as the center. The objectives the Charity are to resource, support and empower local young people so as to help them on a path to maturity through achievement. A path prior to 2007 was not open to these young folks in a difficult area which had little if any structured outlet for the teenages in the area.

The Charity comprises of five elements, five separate units. The Zone is a fully supervised Youth Club meeting every Friday, creating fun and belonging. Church work called Brightlights offers spiritual support every Sunday evening. There is Karate club on Saturday evenings. Getting away weekends to camp enables builds the bonds of friendship. Lastly Quarrydale School offers mentoring services to children in difficulty who are seeking guidance at difficult times in there lives.

At the outset it is important to state that the Church were not at all keen to have Masonry supporting them. An area we meet from time to time. The real challenge now was breaking down the barriers and convincing them of who we are and what we stand for!

Being happily affected, Mansfield Charity Stewards asked Provincial Charities to match their award of £500. The application was received, considered and approved at the April meeting of the Provincial Charity Committee. By which time Ashfield Stewards matched the sum with another £500.

So on Friday 10th June we visited the Youth Club, met the Children, had a cup of tea with Cannon Kellet, but most of all we had the opportunity to collectively presented a cheque for £1500 so that Passing on Hope can expand its offering to more youngsters who will benefit through the leaders committed time and efforts.

Roger Garrett. - Provincial Grand Charity Steward