WARRINGTON-based young suicide prevention charity PAPYRUS is one of 10 charities to benefit from £30,000 donations as part of Cheshire Freemasons’ Tercentenary celebrations.
In a monumental celebration of their Provincial Tercentenary, Cheshire Freemasons announced a collective grant of £300,000, distributing £30,000 each to ten deserving charities across the region. This significant philanthropic effort underscores the Freemasons’ enduring commitment to supporting vital community services and improving lives throughout Cheshire.
The ten charities receiving this substantial funding from Cheshire Freemasons are:
Wirral Hospice St John’s who for over 41 years, this adult hospice in Higher Bebbington has provided compassionate care and support to patients with life-limiting illnesses, including cancer, heart disease, dementia, and neurological conditions, through their in-patient unit, outpatient clinics, wellbeing centre, and ‘Hospice at Home’ service.
The Underground Training Station (UTS Foundation), based in Hoylake, aims to transform lives by offering accessible, free, structured coaching, health, and well-being sessions to vulnerable groups across Merseyside, focusing on individuals recovering from cancer, those with mental ill-health, and neurodiverse young people. The funding will enable them to provide tools for physical and mental well-being, create inclusive opportunities, and establish a long-term community resource through the UTS Community Café.
The Joshua Tree who are based in Sandiway near Nantwich, provides unique emotional, health, and well-being support to families affected by childhood cancer. Founded in 2006 by Lynda and David Hill after their son’s leukaemia diagnosis, the charity fills a crucial gap by supporting not just the child, but the entire family unit, regardless of where they are in their cancer journey.
Mentell are a not-for-profit charity who provide safe, confidential, and judgment-free spaces for men aged 18+ to discuss life’s challenges. Founded in 2017, Mentell has expanded from Bramhall to numerous locations across the UK, offering both in-person and online circles. With over 200 volunteers, they support 3000 men nationwide and are actively commissioned by local health authorities. Mentell have recently been commissioned by Cheshire East Council and Cheshire West NHS to support the men within their communities.
Cheshire Without Abuse (MyCWA) offer a lifeline to families impacted by domestic abuse in Cheshire, providing holistic recovery support for victims and children, alongside behaviour change interventions for perpetrators. The £30,000 grant will enable MyCWA to make a crucial £30,000 deposit for their debut refuge, transitioning towards owning their property portfolio and setting a benchmark for future refuge standards.
Chester Cathedral a landmark architectural gem relies on individual kindness to meet its substantial daily operational costs of nearly £6,000. The grant will help the Cathedral continue its fundamental roles as a place of worship, heritage site, and community hub, particularly in the face of rising economic pressures.
Let’s Farm is an innovative community project for individuals with learning disabilities and difficulties. They provide educational and quality-of-life experiences on a local working farm near Winsford. Participants engage in daily stock duties, conservation, environmental work, and sustainable arts and crafts. The funding will be used to purchase a polytunnel, creating an enterprise opportunity to grow produce for the community.
Young Minds Matter (via Cheshire Community Foundation): As part of the Cheshire Community Foundation’s broader vision, this initiative aims to create a Cheshire free from disadvantage, empowering communities to reach their potential and lead healthy, happy lives. This grant supports local groups focused on addressing local needs, empowering marginalized communities, and maximizing impact through sustainable, long-term funding.
The Christie Charity raises funds to advance the care and treatment of cancer patients at The Christie NHS Foundation Trust, supporting research, education, and essential support services. The grant will specifically contribute towards a Total Body PET-CT imaging facility, enhancing diagnostic and treatment capabilities.
PAPYRUS (Prevention of Young Suicide), based in Warrington, is dedicated to reducing the number of young people who take their own lives. They achieve this by challenging the stigma surrounding suicide and equipping young people and their communities with the skills to recognize and respond to emotional distress, firmly believing that no young person should struggle alone with thoughts of suicide.
A spokesperson for the Cheshire Freemasons stated, “We are incredibly proud to celebrate our Provincial Tercentenary by giving back to the community that has supported us for so long. These ten charities represent a diverse range of essential services, all of which make a profound difference to the lives of people across Cheshire. We hope this £300,000 collective grant will significantly bolster their efforts and allow them to continue their invaluable work.”
Each of the recipient charities expressed profound gratitude for the support, highlighting the tangible impact the £30,000 grant will have on their respective operations and beneficiaries.
