London Mark Benevolent Fund supports a local London charity
South London X-Mas Dinners is a volunteer-run charity that provides a Christmas Day experience for ex-care home leavers, who find Christmas time difficult. These young adults are often vulnerable or lonely and have no family with whom to spend Christmas Day, and so it can be a really difficult time for them.
SLXD host a safe and friendly Christmas Day for referred young adults – with all the Christmas trimmings. There are presents, games, fun and, of course, a traditional Christmas lunch to make everyone’s day special. Volunteers give up their time leading up to Christmas Day and on the day make a huge effort to put on this magical day. In previous years, not only have the guests been overwhelmed with the huge effort, but everyone also leaves with a smile on their face and a feeling of being together.
This is where the London Mark Benevolent Fund can help local charities in real need of funding! With the support throughout the year of London Mark Masons, this year the LMBF has been able to generously support this charity again with the sum of £3,000.
This money is so important for the charity to be able to provide such a wonderful day for their guests and really makes a difference. The event takes weeks of planning: transport to safely make sure the guests can get to the venue, presents for all the guests, a first-class Christmas lunch as well as essential items to help the guests through the Christmas period. A lot of this would not be able to happen without the LMBF’s financial support, and South London X-Mas Dinners would like to thank all the London Mark Masons for their continued support through the London Mark Benevolent Fund.
Words by W Bro Stacy Harman, Provincial Grand Charity Steward