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Local Freemasons back Moray School Bank with donation


By Lorna Thompson

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MORAY School Bank has received a timely donation from local Freemasons ahead of schools going back tomorrow.

The school bank says it has seen more and more Moray families struggle this year with drops in household income as an impact of the pandemic. The resultant high demand comes as its funding has been hit after regular backers rerouted funds towards other pressing Covid-19 response efforts.

Debbie Kelly, development co-ordinator from the school bank, was delighted to receive a donation of £1000 from Ron Fowler, provincial grand master of the Freemasons of Moray and Nairn, on August 1. The funds came from the provincial grand lodge reserves after the suspension of all fundraising activity.

Debbie said the money will be used to buy school shoes and jumpers for local children – with each uniform costing around £100. She added: "It's absolutely amazing when we receive donations like this. It makes such a difference not only to the children but the parents as it really helps take the load off them."

Ron Fowler, provincial grand master of the Freemasons of Moray and Nairn, hands over a cheque to Debbie Kelly, Moray School Bank development co-ordinator.
Ron Fowler, provincial grand master of the Freemasons of Moray and Nairn, hands over a cheque to Debbie Kelly, Moray School Bank development co-ordinator.

The nine Freemasons Lodges in the Moray and Nairn province – two in Elgin, two in Forres, Lossiemouth, Burghead, Rothes, Grantown and Nairn – have been holding Zoom calls on Sundays since the lockdown restrictions came into effect in March.

All of the Freemasons Lodges under the Grand Lodge of Scotland, which is led by grand master mason, Ramsay McGhee from Fortrose, have been active in their respective communities providing assistance throughout the pandemic. Members have been supporting local community responses by shopping, cutting grass for pensioners, and collecting materials for and making PPE equipment.

The decision to donate to the school bank was triggered by a conversation between a Lossiemouth member and a local mum worried about how to pay for back-to-school clothing for her children.

Forres member Brian Kerr said: "Our Lossiemouth member was very touched by the conversation and suggested we do something. This is an organisation that really needs help."

Moray School Bank provides school uniforms and warm winter clothing to children living in financial hardship across Moray, aiming to reduce or remove financial barriers to children's learning, participation and wellbeing.

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