# **SEVEN TOWERS AND MASSEREENE MASONIC CHARITY COMMITTEE ( NIC 102862 )** # **Trustees’ Report** ## **Year Ended 31st December 2023** Trustees’ Annual Report Statement of Receipts and Payments Statement of Assets and Liabilities For the Year Ended 31st December 2023 **Index Pages** Contents **A** Board of Trustees and **A** Officers Trustees Report **A** Independent Examiner’s Report **1-2 3** Statement of Assets and Liabilities Receipts and Payments Account **4** **A** # **SEVEN TOWERS AND MASSEREENE MASONIC CHARITY COMMITTEE ( NIC 102862 )** **Trustees;** Mr. Hugo Swan (Chairman) Mr. Joey Douglas (Vice-Chairman) Mr. George Peden (Treasurer) Mr. Alan Barr (Gift Aid Secretary) Mr. Samuel Eccles (Secretary) Mr. Allen Mercer (Events) Address; Ballymena Masonic Hall 103 Mill Street Ballymena BT43 5AD The Seven Towers and Massereene Masonic Charity Committee is governed by our Constitution document which was approved and adopted by the Committee at a Special Meeting of the Seven Towers and Massereene Masonic Charity Committee held on 16 September 2015 at the Masonic Hall, 103 Mill Street, Ballymena. The Committee was registered with the Charity Commission for Northern Ireland on 18th January 2016 and issued the charity number NIC 102862. The Committee has been accepted as a charity by HMRC using reference number XN45375. **A** # **SEVEN TOWERS AND MASSEREENE MASONIC CHARITY COMMITTEE ( NIC 102862 )** ## Trustees’ Report Year Ended 31st December 2023 The objectives of the Charity Committee are detailed within their Constitution Document as follows; - To relieve poverty amongst widows of freemasons, relatives of Freemasons or Freemasons who are experiencing financial hardship and who were or are - subscribing Members of Lodges within the Seven Towers and Massereene District as defined by the Provincial Grand Lodge of Antrim. - At its discretion, The Charity Committee can, provide financial assistance for other exclusively charitable purposes as defined in the Charities Act (Northern Ireland) 2008. The Trustees have had regard to the public benefit guidance issued by the Charity Commission for Northern Ireland. During the year ended 31[st] December 2023 the Committee oversaw activities in pursuance of their responsibility toward public benefit – Macmillan Cancer Support £1,000 AGENI £3,240 ( became £6,280 through The Big Give ) Distributed to Masonic Charity; H.M.T.F . £500 J.K.F. £300 FIVJ & Welfare Fund £10.000 B.M.C.F. £19,800 B.M.W.F. £1,000 **A** ## **SEVEN TOWERS AND MASSEREENE MASONIC CHARITY COMMITTEE ( NIC 102862 )** Thankfully the impact upon society of the Covid pandemic was reducing significantly as 2023 progressed. Freemasonry, in keeping with all aspects in society, continued to return to some form of “normality”. The pandemic did however take a toll on the membership and we lost some friends as a result. Many members, understandably elder members and those with health issues continued to take precautions and restrict attendance at meetings. Despite all of these factors our charity contributions have increased and approached pre - covid levels. Many brethren responded to the years of reduced income by giving even more generously to the various charities. Our annual Divine Service took place in May once again at Craigs Parish Church. A good attendance by brethren and family members meant the Service was well supported and the collection amounted to £630. Once again we are indebted to the Rector and Select Vestry for hosting us. We were delighted to once again assist the local Macmillan Cancer Support team by donating £1,000 to assist Macmillan with their wonderful support to those dealing with cancer. This was possible through the generosity of a brother who having won a motorcycle in a raffle sold it and made the donation. For that we thank him most sincerely. The Provincial Grand Master R,W,Bro. John McLernon had chosen AGENI as the Charity to support for 2023. We, with many other brethren contributed generously toward this. Some Lodges etc. in our District contributed directly to PGL but those who directed funds through us helped raise £3,240. Having been advised by AGENI personnel about **“The Big Give”** we were able to follow the directions and through them the amount received by AGENI from our District amounted to £6,280. We continue to ensure the wider community benefits from the generosity of the brethren. The funds donated from Lodges etc. were processed for Gift Aid and the annual return from HMRC amounted to £4,818. Total income for distribution therefore amounted to approx. £36,000 and this amount was distributed to the various Charities as directed by the donors or in accordance with the District Committee’s decision of Unallocated Funds being split 70% to BMCF and 30% to VJ. **A** ## **SEVEN TOWERS AND MASSEREENE MASONIC CHARITY COMMITTEE ( NIC 102862 )** The results of the Committee’s activities during the year 2023 are contained in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities on page 3 and the Receipts and Payments Accounts on page 4. The Trustees look forward once again to the support of all their brethren within the district. With Covid restrictions relaxed and hopefully never again needed we look forward to a full return to activity allowing brethren to once again make the generous donations essential to further the Committee’s purposes as laid out in their Constitution. The report was approved by the Trustees at a meeting held on 15[th] July 2024 And signed on their behalf by: ## Sam Eccles Samuel Eccles (Secretary) **A**