Urmston Freemasons celebrates community who support Masonic charitable initiatives

The Freemasons of Urmston organised and hosted an awards evening, at Urmston Masonic Hall recently, to honour and celebrate those in the community who support Masonic charitable initiatives.

The local Freemasons have provided such things as foodbanks during covid, christmas community events bringing locals together and various other fundraisers to support our community.

Sometimes though individuals and businesses, who are non-Masons, in our area see the good work being carried out by the Freemasons of Urmston and offer their generous support. This event was a means to say thank you to those individuals.

Recieving an award on the night was local man Stephen Groves who is the owner of Home Estate Agents based in Urmston.

Stephen has donated hundreds of pounds to Masonic community causes over the years as well as countless bottles for raffles. He is a pillar of the community who shares the Masonic principles of caring for his community.

Stephen sponsors sports teams in the locality as well as community websites. The local Freemasons are extremely grateful for his support.

Also being honoured was Jeremy Blain who is the CEO of Performance Works International. Jeremy unfortunately could not attend the event due to being abroad on business but sent his thanks and appreciation for his award.

He will recieve his certificate and bottle on his return to Manchester. Jeremy has donated over a thousand pounds to Masonic charitable events and causes at Urmston Masonic Hall.

His support has allowed Freemasons to help many individuals and charities, assisting more people than we’ll ever know. He also supports local charities and good causes whenever he is able to do so. A good man who mirrors the Masonic passion for charity. The Masons of Urmston are very grateful for his contributions.

Corrie’s Jimmi Harkishin, aka Dev, also recieved an award on the night for his kind donations of signed Coronation Street cast photographs and signed scripts from the popular soap opera. Jimmi spends weeks leading up to an event chasing down cast members, who all work at different hours, to gain the full cast of signatures.

His donations have raised hundreds of pounds for Masonic causes. He makes himself available to attend local charity events and gives to charity in any way he can. He was presented his award by local Freemason Eddie Wilkinson. The Freemasons of Urmston are very grateful for Jimmi’s support and kind donations.

Paul Danks from the McGoff Group couldn’t be there to recieve his award on the evening. He will be presented it at a later date. His award is for his constant support of Masonic local endeavours. Providing hundreds of pounds for the local food bank initiative and the Christmas community event are just two examples where his funding has helped made things possible.

His donation to Masonic auctions at Masonic fundraising evenings, such as donating a smart TV, has been invaluable in raising funds for Masonic charitable work and the Freemasons of Urmston are truly grateful to him.

Zola Martini was given his award by local Mason Ezra McGowan for his continued support of Masonic charitable events. His generous donations of hundreds of pounds worth of vouchers over the past few years for his Italian restaurant Mulino, based in Urmston, along with donations of three course meals for two and countless bottles of wine for raffles that have really helped to raise vital funds for charitable causes.

He also donated hundreds of pounds to the Urmston food bank initiative helping to make it the success it was during a very difficult time for local families. He can not be thanked enough.

Finally Martin’s Craft Bakery recieved their award from Mason, Steve Masters for supporting the fundraising of Urmston Masons. They have also been strong supporters of the local Charity The Forget Me Not Trust, providing them with food donations for the homeless.

The Trust is run by Freemason Ezra McGowan and supported by local Freemasons. The Bakery’s continued support to Masonic causes is very much appreciated.

Freemasonry is the second biggest giver to charity behind the National Lottery. This is extremely impressive as it is only Freemasons who donate. However, occassionaly members of the community see the great work being done by their local Freemasons and offer their kind assistance.

These awards recognised that fact and the Urmston Freemasons gave their appreciation to those locals who have assisted Masonic good causes over the years.