An Oundle based charity has benefitted from a Masonic Charitable Foundation (MCF) grant of £15,000. Volunteer Action is a small charity with one full-time and four part-time staff members and 147 volunteers. They run a community transport service and befriending scheme.
These services are open to anyone aged 65 years plus or registered disabled within the East North Northants area and combat isolation and loneliness, as well as having positive health benefits.
The charity has 800 registered users of the transport scheme, which enables people to keep medical appointments, go shopping, to the hairdresser and to social events.
The befriending scheme has 100 registered users who receive personal home visits or telephone calls.
(l to r) Trustees Valerie Chesser, Moira Froggatt, Richard Allinson, Chairman David Cashmore, Trustee Lloyd Martin, ProvGChStwd Gerry Crawford,
St Wilfrid Lodge WM David Burton, Manager Rachel Dixon, & St Wilfrid Lodge members Alan Welsh, Graham Sands & David Bland
Long-time supporter and local Freemason, John Grubb, visited Volunteer Action’s offices on 16 November 2024 with the Master of St Wilfrid Lodge, David Burton and Provincial Grand Charity Steward, Gerry Crawford, to meet Volunteer Action’s Manager, Rachel Dixon and Chairman, David Cashmore and other Trustees.
Rachel Dixon said
I heard about the MCF through local Freemasons and decided to apply for a grant. We had suffered from a perfect storm of diminishing sources of funding with a huge increase in demand for our services. This MCF grant is a lifeline for us.
David Cashmore said
This grant will guarantee the sustainability of our services in the face of a 44% increase in demand. We are extremely grateful.
Anyone who can give a little time as a volunteer can do so by contacting on 01832 275433