Provincial Grand Lodge of Ayrshire

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	On Monday 5 July 2010 the Right Worshipful Provincial Grand Master Brother Archie Chalmers attended at the Kilmarnock War Memorial to witness the official presentation of a Cheque for £1000 to Help for Heroes. The money having been raised from the Brother John Husk Ralston Memorial Bowling Competition held earlier this year. Mrs Sadie Ralston handed the cheque to (Bro.) David Gardiner of Help for Heroes who expressed his gratitude for the magnificent gesture from the Freemasons of Ayrshire. The Right Worshipful Provincial Grand Master was delighted to have the company of the Provost of East Ayrshire, Stephanie Young, on the occasion. Lodge St Clement Riccarton (Kilwinning) Kilmarnock No.202 provided hospitality within the Kilmarnock Masonic Social Club afterwards.
	The presentation of the Cheque for £5000 from the Provincial Grand Master's Charity Fund, to The Aberlour Trust, Ardfin House, Prestwick, took place on Sunday 12 July 2009. The Right Worshipful Provincial Grand Master was accompanied by a number of Office-bearers and their wives. The money is to be used for the play area shown in the picture and for a special shower. (Picture courtesy of PGM)

On the afternoon of Sunday 7 June 2009 the RWPGM attended at the National Burns Memorial Homes in Mauchline to formally present a cheque from the PGM's Charity Fund of £5000. Mr Douglas Hemmings, Chairman, and Mrs Jean Martin, Vice-Chairman, extended a warm and sincere welcome to the members of PGL and the cottagers who were in attendance. PGM Brother Chalmers brought to the attention of those present the new chairs which had been purchased with the donation from "The Freemasons of Ayrshire" and invited Brother Rev Ian W. Benzie, PG Chaplain, to Dedicate them. The afternoon was closed by everyone enjoying the hospitality of the National Burns Memorial Homes Committee for which SPGM Brother Drew Rankine gave thanks. DPGM Bro. Robert Little, PG Secy Brother Robert Stewart, Brother Derek Welch, Brother Stewart Cruickshank, Brother John Chalmers RWM 133 and Brother Duncan Fenwick RWM 135 were also present.


	The RWPGM, Bro. Archibald Chalmers, accompanied by several other brethren from the PGL, attended the Autistic Unit at Crosshouse Primary School to present a Cheque for £3000. Mrs Mary Reilly, Teacher, welcomed them to the Unit and explained some of the activities that they are involved in. She was delighted to receive the cheque which will be used to further the interests of the pupils. This is the 3rd and last of the cheques to be presented on behalf of The Freemasons of Ayrshire, the others being to Kilmarnock Shopmobility and SAVIC each receiving£3000, a grand total of £9000. To personally hand over the cheques has been a most rewarding and fulfilling experience on your behalf. On Friday afternoon, 18 April 2008, the RWPGM accompanied by Substitute PGM Bro. Drew C Y Rankine and Bro. Robert Stewart PGL Secretary, attended at the Animal Farm Park at the Heads of Ayr. The purpose of the visit was to present a Cheque for £3000 on behalf of the Provincial Grand Lodge of Ayrshire to the South Ayrshire Visually Impaired Children group (SIVAC). Jane McCreadie, treasurer, was delighted to receive such wonderful support from the Freemasons and informed the brethren that they were already making plans for a trip to an adventure centre in the Lake District which would cater for the special needs of all the children involved in the group. The monies received go towards days out like the one the children were enjoying today at Ayr.for the RWPGM this was a proud day. To practice the tenet of helping others less fortunate than ourselves is a privilege and an honour.
On Friday afternoon, 4 April 2008, the RWPGM Bro. Archibald Chalmers visited Kilmarnock Shopmobility (next to the Bus Station) and met with the Project Manager Mr Danny Howley for the purpose of presenting the group with a cheque for £3000 on behalf of the PGM's Charity Fund. The group have purchased two new scooters for the use of anyone and everyone who are registered users of the Shopmobility buggies. Each scooter has a plaque "Donated by the Freemasons of Ayrshire". The members were delighted to receive the donation and asked the RWPGM to pass on their gratitude to all the brethren of the Province. PG Secretary Brother Robert Stewart was also present but didn't want to be seen in his "wurkin' claes". This is only one of three such presentations to be made in April on behalf of the Freemasons of Ayrshire. Today was a proud moment for the RWPGM to be able to extend such generosity to a most worthy cause.

		The Annual Masters' Dinner was held on 26 April in Kilmarnock. A presentation was given to Ayrshire Cancer Support of £10,000. SPGM William Steel is pictured with Acting PGM John Ralston handing over the cheque to Fraser Craig of Ayrshire Cancer Support. Also present was the MWGMM Sir Archibald Orr Ewing Bart. and Grand Secretary Bro. David Begg to receive the £5,000 donation to Grand Lodge Benevolent Funds. Over the last three years the Fund has now disbursed a total of £45,000 to local Ayrshire Charities and £15,000 to Grand Lodge Benevolent Funds.
		During his first year in Office the RWPGM intimated that he wished to donate monies to local charities on behalf of Ayrshire Freemasons and sought recommendations on where an amount up to £10,000 was to be given. The Malcolm Sargent House, Prestwick which cares for and supports children with cancer and their families received £10,000. £5,000 was also presented to the Grand Lodge of Scotland to be given to a charity of their choice. Grand Lodge passed this donation to the Tsunami appeal. The RWPGM is pictured handing over the cheque to Bro. Thomas McColl SGM of Grand Lodge.

The PGM Bro. Stuart Lanes also presented two cheques totalling £15,000 at the Annual Masters' Dinner 2006.The first cheque was presented to Frances Robertson of Combat Stress at Hollybush House as part of an annual donation to Ayrshire Charitable Organisations. A second cheque for £5,000 was presented to Brother Robert Leitch, SGM Grand Lodge of Scotland for their nominated charity.The Right Worshipful Provincial Grand Master is continuing a 5 year plan to present a total of £15,000 to charitable causes within the Province of Ayrshire. He intimated that the third year target was well under way and was confident that the 2007 donations of £15,000 would be achieved.