The objective of the fund is to afford assistance to deserving widows and families, including mothers and sisters of freemasons who have been a member of a lodge in the Province of Down outside a six mile radius of Belfast. The inclusion of mothers and sisters  is there to cover the case of a  bachelor Brother who lives with his widowed mother or unmarried sister.

The fund covers the District Charity Committees of Banbridge, Bangor, Downpatrick, Newry and Newtownards. Within these districts there are 80 lodges with a total membership of over 2500 brethren. We currently have 120 widows on the fund. Bereavement Grants are also available

Assistance is by means annual means tested grants as the Committee may find best suited to the necessities of the applicant.

Applications should be completed by the Lodge in the first instance and these will then be forwarded to the District Charity Committee where they will be ratified and then sent to the Fund secretary for consideration by the Trustees.

A leaflet with full details is available by clicking here

If you wish to support the work of our charity and make a personal donation please forward cheques, made payable to  “Down Masonic Widows’ Fund”  to the Secretary.  Thank you.

You can download a Gift Aid declaration by clicking here. This will allow us to claim Gift Aid.

The AGM of the Down Masonic Widows Fund held on Monday past had a record turnout of 110 Brethren.

They heard that the Fund was in a good financial state and continues to support our widows through annuity payments, bereavement grants and ladies Teas.

Due to the present financial crisis the Trustees decided to make an immediate hardship payment to 70 of our most vulnerable widows of £150 each. This decision was well received by the Brethren present.

Our Guest was M. Ex. Comp. Neil A Coey, District Grand King of Down. At the end of the meeting a collection was taken up of £850 (including Gift Aid).

Thanks were expressed to the Brethren for their continual giving and interest in the Fund.