Sussex Mark Association of Benevolence.

Sir Reginald Spence Fund

Provincial Grand Charity Steward

Lodge Charity Steward

Provincial Grand Almoner

Lodge Almoner

Provincial Grand Secretary

       This fund is administered by Mark Grand Lodge and the brethren in the Mark Province of Sussex are among the most generous in giving a high level of support. It is administered for the purpose of assisting necessitous brethren and certain members of their families and is always generous in relieving their distress.

       The fund was established in 1868 on the suggestion of the then Grand Master, Reverend Canon G.R.Portal. He believed it necessary for the Mark Degree to have its own Benevolent Fund because he was convinced that if charity was to be effective it had to be dispensed swiftly. He gave the Latin tag "Bis dat qui cito Dat"- he gives twice who gives promptly-and this became the principal guideline of the Fund of Benevolence.

      A festival is held in July every year under the Chairmanship of the Provincial Grand Master of a Province (each in turn), and it is the responsibility of that Province to bolster the income for that year. Dorset were responsible in 1997 and they raised the sum of £352,807-00 from only 19 Mark and Royal Ark Mariner Lodges. A truly remarkable achievement, with Sussex being the highest contributer outside of Dorset.

      The Provincial Grand Master for London will be hosting the Festival in 2001. Apart from assisting necessitous brethren and their families the fund has made grants to other charities (including outside of freemasonry) of over 8 million pounds, including the sum of 1.5 million pounds donated to the Hospice Movement in 1994. Every Lodge was given £1,000 to donate to a Hospice of their choice.

      This fund was established in 1942 so that the Provincial Grand Lodge of Sussex are able to assist within the Province along the same lines as the Mark Benevolent Fund. Although the response is obviously very much quicker and are usually dealt with in a period of about two weeks.

      It is a Registered Charity (No. 239451) with 3 Trustees appointed by Provincial Grand Lodge and they administer with the co-operation of the Provincial Grand Master.

       The Fund relies upon the generosity of individual brethren and Lodges, and also through social events which are always well supported.

      This Fund was set up by Sir Reginald Spence who was Provincial Grand Master 1937-57, to enable the Mark Provincial Grand Masters' to assist brethren in need, at his discretion. Hence it is referred to as the P.G.M's Discretionary Fund. Here again it is financed by the generosity of brethren and Lodges, and also a small per capita levy is collected from each Lodge every year.

      W.Bro.Speedie has direct contact with Mark Grand Lodge (Mark Fund of Benevolence) to whom he sends all contributions from Lodges and Brethren which he in turn receives from the Lodge Charity Steward. He dispenses grants as instructed from the Sussex Fund of Benevolence.

Lodge Charity Steward

      All necessitous cases are directed to W.Bro.Baker and he in turn circulates the full details to those concerned for a decision.

Lodge Almoner

      Apart from his Provincial administration W.Bro. Froom is responsible for overseeing Petitions received from the Lodge Almoners and submitting them to the Mark Benevolent Fund. He receives notification directly from the Hon. Secretary advising him of the decision that has been taken, and a cheque, when appropriate, with instructions on how that should be dispensed to the Petitioner. All deserving cases are very generously dealt with.

Comment from the Provincial Grand Master.

      I particularly extend my grateful appreciation to those mentioned in the foregoing - Sussex Mark Charities - who work tirelessly to ensure that our Province is in the forefront of giving and caring.

      My thanks also to the Social Committee and their Ladies whose efforts provide such enjoyable entertainment and income for our Funds....Tony Barton, Mike Newth, David Crouch, Ken Cook, Graham Flight and David Ackroyd.

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