Charity

Service is one of the four central Guiding Principles of Masonry, and Charity or "Relief" is an important part of Service.  The PSLC regularly makes donations to appropriate charitable causes, and the remit of its Benevolent Fund is as follows:

(1) Educating or advancing in life (I) the children of distressed or dead Freemasons of one of the Public Schools or (II) persons who have been supported by any Masonic Charity (including the Royal Masonic School for Girls) having the education or support of boys or girls as its main object; (2) Making grants to any Public School (if a Charity) or to any Masonic Charity; (3) Relieving distressed Freemasons of one of the Public Schools or their wives, widows, children or dependants.

As well as making grants to individuals, usually those identified by the Masonic Charitable Foundation, and supporting annual PSLC Festivals (the current level of support is £7,500, rising to £10,000 in 2025), the PSLC has recently expanded its giving by making more substantial donations to appropriate causes.  One of these, marked by an event on 12th October 2024, was the donation of £41,910 to Christ's Hospital.  This donation establishes a Donation Governorship at the School, and allows the Donation Governor (our Chairman) to work with the School's Admissions Team to select a suitable student to be presented for admission in September 2025.

After the cheque presentation the assembled PSLC masons and their guests enjoyed a bubbly reception, a chance to watch the School march into lunch accompanied by the School Band, and a very pleasant lunch back in the Court Room.  The day was rounded off by a visit to the Chapel to hear the recently-restored Rushworth & Dreaper 5-manual organ.