Local charity Jessie May is appealing to friends, supporters and service users to vote online and help them receive a £25,000 Community Award from the Freemasons.
As part of Freemasonry’s 300th anniversary celebrations, the Masonic Charitable Foundation is distributing three million pounds to 300 charities across the country, and Jessie May is one of those selected.
Each of the nominated charities will receive a grant, but the public vote will determine how much they receive, ranging from £4,000 to £25,000.
Jessie May, which cares for terminally ill children within their own homes in Bristol, Bath, North Somerset, South Gloucestershire and Wiltshire, requires around £1,200,000 every year to provide vital support for families.
Julian Withers, head of fundraising at Jessie May said: “A grant of £25,000 would make a huge difference to our work.
“I would urge anyone and everyone to go online and vote for Jessie May. Every single vote counts and will help us continue to provide medical, respite and bereavement support to our families.”
The Masonic Charitable Foundation obtains all of its funding from Freemasons and their families.
It is estimated that half of Freemasonry’s total charitable expenditure of over £33m goes to charities that help people in communities across the country.
Tim Henderson-Ross, Provincial Grand Master from Gloucestershire Freemasons said: “We are proud to be able to support many charities across South Gloucestershire, but in this special 300th anniversary year we want to involve the public, as well as local Freemasons, in deciding which of the nominated charities should benefit most. I urge everyone to visit the website and vote.”
Those who want to vote should visit the MCF website mcf.org.uk/vote, select the South Gloucestershire page and vote for the charity of their choice.
The voting period is from Monday 12th June until Monday 31st July.
