Freemasons support Jubilee Sailing Trust with £25,000

Freemasons show their continued support for the Jubilee Sailing Trust (JST), with this latest grant of £25,000. The money will be used to fund a bursary for severely disabled people to participate in voyages on the two JST tall ships. Many of the people require their own personal carer to join them, which increases the cost – the cost of which this bursary is set to meet.

The two JST tall ships, Lord Nelson and Tenacious, were purpose-designed with special features that make it possible for physically disabled people to take a full and active role in crewing the ship side by side with able-bodied people. Such features include wheelchair lifts between deck levels, a joy stick for people who want to steer the ship but who cannot hold a wheel and an audio compass for those who want to steer but cannot see.

Whilst on board one of the Trust’s tall ships, everybody gets the opportunity to participate in all aspects of running the ship, from taking the helm and going aloft, to taking part in mess duty. The Trust’s philosophy is that life should be about equality, sharing and celebrating people’s individual differences - this philosophy is the focus of every voyage they make.

Speaking about the donation, Siobhan McCarthy  of the Freemasons' Grand Charity said: "The Jubilee Sailing Trust has been sailing the seas in order to provide enjoyment for the severely physically disabled for over thirty years now. The ships  provide an excellent opportunity not available elsewhere and because of that we are delighted to demonstrate our continued support with £25,000."

The Major Grants Scheme is just one of the initiatives driven by The Freemasons’ Grand Charity which donates millions of pounds to national charities every year.


Notes:

About The Freemasons' Grand Charity:

The Freemasons’ Grand Charity is a grant-making charity dedicated to supporting people in need, having donated more than £100 million since 1981. We provide grants totalling nearly £8 million each year in the areas of: medical research; support for vulnerable people; youth opportunities; hospice services; air ambulances; and disaster relief, as well as providing assistance to Freemasons and their dependants in financial need.

We are continuing a commitment to charitable support that began nearly 300 years ago in the earliest days of organised Freemasonry.
The Grand Charity aims to:
• Make a significant difference to people in real need
• Help the wider community by funding vital projects
• Support issues of concern to Freemasons and their families

Please visit: www.grandcharity.org