About Us
Making a Difference to Peoples LivesThe Cornwallis East Kent Freemasons Charity
Welcome!
The Cornwallis East Kent Freemasons Charity commenced its activities on the 12th February 2014.
“The aim of the Cornwallis East Kent Freemasons’ Charity is to invest in a brighter future. It does this by helping the vulnerable and disadvantaged in our local communities by providing funding opportunities. In so doing it helps these local charities to continue their excellent work and make a difference to people’s lives.” Quote from Neil hamilton Johnstone, Provincial Grand Master of East Kent.
Our Story
So who was Wykeham Cornwallis, 2nd Baron Cornwallis KCVO KBE KStJ MC
The Cornwallis family have for a long time been closely associated with Freemasonry in Kent. Wykeham Cornwallis succeeded his father as Provincial Grand Master (or head) of Kent in 1935 until the county was divided into East and West Kent in 1973.
He then served as Provincial Grand Master of East Kent until his death in 1982.
The organisation’s main charity is named after the Cornwallis family and was established following the death of the first Baron in 1935. Cornwallis’ son, Fiennes Neil Wykeham Cornwallis, 3rd Baron Cornwallis, was Pro Grand Master of United Grand Lodge of England between 1982 and 1992.
The Charity is very committed to helping everyone from all walks of life, it seeks to maximise the benefit of the money it gives to our local communities, not by just sending them a cheque, but by giving them as much exposure so that others can see and recognise their work. 2017 for instance saw 15 Charities receive £44,175. That year we gave out donations totalling £79,000.
The picture is of Colonel Wykeham Stanley Cornwallis, 2nd Baron Cornwallis. and was taken from the peerage.com
Our Objectives
We are a grant making charity. The primary focus of our giving is social welfare and need, including the prevention or relief of poverty. Grants are restricted to individuals and organisations with connections in or around Kent.
Helping Your Charity Grow, & Learn
Launched in October 2014, The Cornwallis East Kent Freemasons’ Charity aims to be the face of Masonic Charity in the community. It seeks to maximise the benefit of the money that it gives to our local communities by not just sending a cheque, but by giving the recipient charity the opportunity of the greatest exposure so that others will recognise the wonderful work which that charity actually does.
How Can We Help?
Match Funding
If your Lodge or Chapter can raise monies towards a local Charity, we at the CEKFC could match fund that donation and double the money your Charity receives.
Who We Help
Children/young people
Elderly/old people
People with disabilities
Other charities or voluntary bodies
The general public
Events
The CEEKFC has organised a number of events since it was founded in 2014. A real highlight was the 2017 It’s A Kncokout Challenge. staged at Aylesford Rugby Club, 21 teams took part and raised a fantastic £20,000. More events are planned in the coming year.