Annual Review 2011/12 - Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution

HELP SUPPORT US | 25
RMBI Festivals
Every year the RMBI needs charitable support to the value of around £5 million in order
to carry out its work. Much of this amount comes from the funds raised by RMBI Festivals
each year.
We rely on the money from Festivals to
support people who are unable to pay
their full care fees. For example, they may
have run out of personal savings, or they
may receive local authority support which
covers only part of the total cost of their
care and the RMBI needs to make up the
shortfall. The RMBI helps around 400
older Freemasons and their dependants
in this way and the valuable support
from the Festival Scheme ensures that
we are able to continue to do so.
The Festival of Leicestershire and Rutland
was launched in November 2006 with
a target of £1.5 million. The committee
for the Festival decided that the best
way to achieve the target was to work
with the 72 lodges in the Province and
aim to raise £64 per member (including
Gift Aid). An Events Committee was also
established to coordinate the fundraising
events programme.
A variety of events were organised,
including raffles, craft fairs, golfing
events, sale of Festival jewels and ties,
sporting events and the notable bike
rides undertaken by the bikers in the
Province ‘Long Way Home’ which
raised over £8,000. Also, Brethren
were encouraged to save 20p pieces in
Smartie tubes and this initiative raised
the considerable sum of £45,972.
The Festival’s concluding event
was a banquet held at the King
Power Stadium, home of Leicester
City Football Club. The event was
attended by the Lord Lieutenant
of Leicestershire, the Chair of
Leicestershire County Council, the
High Sheriff of Rutland, the outgoing
Lord Mayor of Leicester and the Chief
Executives of two local hospices –
LOROS and Rainbows. A thoroughly
enjoyable evening was had by all.
Guests of honour also included:
the Deputy Grand Master,
Jonathan Spence and his wife;
and Willie Shackell, the President
of the RMBI.
There was entertainment from
the Chanterelles Choir and the
evening was concluded when
David Innes, Chief Executive of the
RMBI, announced the magnificent
Festival total of £1,700,850 – a
truly superb fundraising effort by
the Brethren of the Province of
Leicestershire and Rutland.
The RMBI is extremely grateful to
the Province of Leicestershire and
Rutland for all the generous support
of the 2012 Festival, which will enable
the Charity to continue and develop
its important work.
From left to right: VW Bro. Willie Shackell CBE, President of the RMBI: W Bro. Peter Kinder, PDepGSwdB, Assistant Provincial
Grand Master of Leicestershire and Rutland: RW Bro. Jonathan Spence, Deputy Grand Master: RW Bro. David Hagger,
Provincial Grand Master for Leicestershire and Rutland and VW Bro. James Buckle, PGSwdB, Deputy Provincial Grand Master
of Leicestershire and Rutland.