FREEMASONS GRANT CASH FOR YOUTH

An RAF charity's aim to encourage young people to be more 'airminded' received a £50,000 boost at a special ceremony in London.

The Royal Air Force Charitable Trust, based at Fairford in Gloucestershire, was presented with a cheque for £50,000 by HRH the Duke of Kent at the Freemasons' Grand Charity presentation of Commemorative Grants at the Freemasons' Hall in London on Wednesday, June 3.

The grant was received on behalf of the Trust, by its chairman Air Chief Marshal Sir John Cheshire. Sir John was accompanied by fellow Trustee Mr Fred Crawley and by Alex Krol, a past recipient of a Flying Scholarship for the Disabled, which was funded by the Charitable Trust.
The Duke of Kent has close links with both organisations, being Patron of the Royal Air Force Charitable Trust and celebrating his 40th year as Grand Master of the United Grand Lodge of England.

Receiving the cheque, Sir John said: "The Trust owes an enormous debt of gratitude to His Royal Highness, in particular, and to all members of the Freemasons' Grand Charity. The money will be awarded to air-minded young people who, due to their financial circumstances, would not otherwise be able to participate in adventurous training and expeditions. Thanks to the initiative of His Royal Highness, these youngsters will now have the opportunity to develop their leadership and life skills. These awards will be entirely consistent with the Trust's objective to support the nation's youth."

Since it was established in 2005, Enterprises has raised £1 million for the Charitable Trust. A further £300,000 has been earmarked to be handed over to the charity following a successful outcome to next month's Air Tattoo.