Match funding lies at the very heart of the work undertaken by the Cornwallis East Kent Freemasons Charity (CEKFC), enabling Lodges and Chapters to significantly increase the impact of their charitable giving and deliver meaningful support to vital local services.

A recent example of this approach in action saw United Services Chapter No. 3124 successfully submit two separate match funding applications, resulting in grants of £1,000 each being awarded to two exceptional emergency service charities: the Kent, Surrey and Sussex Air Ambulance (KSSAA) and the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI).

The KSSAA team delivered a detailed demonstration of their land ambulance, explaining how the funding would be used to equip this and similar response vehicles. This insight highlighted the critical link between charitable support and the charity’s ability to respond rapidly and effectively to emergencies across the region.

This was followed by the RNLI, who showcased both their inshore and offshore lifeboats, outlining the demanding conditions in which their volunteer crews operate and how the grant would support their operational readiness. The demonstrations brought into sharp focus the real-world impact that charitable funding has on saving lives at sea and along the coastline.

The CEKFC is always keen to encourage Lodges and Chapters to work together, whether through match funding or by brigading grants in support of a single charity or good cause. This collaborative approach can lead to significant awards that make a tangible difference to local communities, strengthening emergency services and supporting those who place themselves in harm’s way to help others.