“Amongst the values of Freemasonry are Integrity, Kindness and Fairness. Caring for the community and raising money for charitable causes is important to us.’’ UGLE
We are taught very early on in our Masonic careers that benevolence and charity are key cornerstones of Masonry. The London Lodge No 108 is testament to that fact: a Lodge whose members embrace and demonstrate, through their actions, such values and commitment to charitable causes and delivery.
Whilst in 2024 the Lodge successfully achieved its Platinum Award objective by donating £10,000 to the wider Air Ambulance Appeal, its members strived to plan and engage in broader charitable initiatives and good causes.
In the 2022/23 Lodge year, then Master W Bro Richard Spooner, had opted to support Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD), which provides critical support and research
into muscular degenerative disorders. Through a combination of fundraising activities, including a fantastic sum of £5,500 raised at the Master’s Ladies Festival, the chosen
charity were most appreciative of this much-needed support.
In the 2023/24 Lodge year, then Master W Bro David Nicholls designated Market Field Farm as his charity of choice. This wonderful charity undertakes to provide employment
and training opportunities for young people with disabilities or disadvantage, paving the way to a productive and fulfilling life less reliant on expensive care and benefits. By combining Alms donations to his Masters List and supported by a delightful Ladies Festival, the Master raised more than £4,000 in that year.
In the 2024/25 Lodge year, the current Master, W Bro Paul Chatfield has chosen Power2Inspire as his designated charity. This charity was founded by a remarkable man, John Willis, who having been born without fully formed arms and legs, sadly suffered much discrimination and exclusion in sports as a child. Determined to overcome such prejudices, John embarked on an inspiring mission to ensure inclusion for young people, irrespective of any disability, physical or otherwise, in the participatory joy and wellbeing of sport.
John now tours schools nationally promoting participation in sport for all, whilst also
taking an active part himself. Despite his disability, John set his own example of canoeing 108 miles along the Thames, inspiring him to pioneer the ‘108 Challenge’ – a
fun initiative of setting a challenge involving 108 of… anything, whether that be running every day for 108 metres or simply catching a ball 108 times without dropping it. Participation, inclusion and fun are the key motives.
By pure serendipity, the “108 Challenge” matched the number of the London Lodge, inspiring the Lodge’s Master to create a novel fund-raising mission involving volunteer members of the Lodge. He hatched a plan to walk 108 km over a weekend along London’s Thames Path, wearing charity branded clothing to raise awareness
and displaying a JustGiving donation link.
Two groups were formed, one walking from the Thames Barrier to Hampton Court and the other joining them at Hampton Court from the other direction starting at Marlow – covering a combined distance of 108 km.
Collectively, whilst walking and networking, the two groups raised almost £7,000 – a truly remarkable achievement highlighting the moral values of Masonic giving and kindness at heart from the public. At the end of the walk, W Bro Paul commented:
“Mission accomplished! It was fantastic to bring together so many Freemasons, all in the name of charity. I am thrilled with the amount we have been able to raise so far. I have known John and Power2Inspire for a long time and the work they do in ensuring sport is accessible for all is outstanding. I am proud that these funds raised will make a real difference. Thanks to everyone who donated – it was tough, but so worth it!”
With the 108 Charity Walk successfully concluded, the Master held a Ladies Festival in February 2025 with the continuing objective of further supporting his chosen charity.
Held in the glorious setting of Leas Cliff, Folkstone overlooking the sea, the sell-out event proved a resounding success with a packed itinerary combining Masonic Festival
tradition with fun-packed fund-raising initiatives which generated a further £8,000 towards the Master’s chosen charity.
Combined, the 2024/25 funds raised by London Lodge No 108 for the Master’s charity have amounted to an outstanding £15,133, leading the Charity’s founder,
John Willis, to comment: “It was a real pleasure and a huge privilege to take part in the Lodge’s Ladies Night, and to see the excellent organisation exquisitely manage the jam-packed dinner programme. We were absolutely thrilled with the fantastic outcome of the raffle and auction”.
By combining the amounts raised for the chosen charities, spearheaded by the individual Masters, together with the £10,000 donation towards the Air Ambulance Appeal, in the last three years London Lodge No 108 has contributed in excess of £34,600 to benevolent and community good causes, helping to fully embrace the virtues of Freemasonry.
London Lodge No 108 Charity Steward, W Bro Richard Spooner comments: “I believe it very true to say that London Lodge No 108 has shown that with effort and charitable imagination, large amounts can be raised in the cause of charity by an individual Lodge”
This article is part of the Arena Magazine, Issue 57 Spring 2025 edition.
Arena Magazine is the official magazine of the London Freemasons – Metropolitan Grand Lodge and Metropolitan Grand Chapter of London.
Read more articles in the Arena Issue 57 here.