In February, 2021 the Masonic Charitable Foundation made a grant of £42,000 to DeafBlind UK to help them relieve the isolation of the DeafBlind.

DeafBlind UK’s Director of Fundraising, Shirley Scotcher, has sent this feedback:

I just wanted to let you know what a difference the funding you gave us has made to those that need us this Christmas. The calls have been flooding in, especially since Omicron with so many feeling that fear of uncertainty again. And of course Christmas can be such a lonely time for so many, and the new year always seems to make people consider their lives and their value which can lead to very damaging self thoughts.

This was the first year we had our counselling service available to so many, thanks to your funding. “It takes all my energy just to put one foot in front of another” is a quote from a lady who is supporting her 15 year old deafblind daughter, who’s main communicator/interpreter had decided to leave the profession, leaving her and her family bereft. Its so important for her to have someone other than her family to talk to.

So I just wanted to say thank you, for helping us to help them. I hope you all feel proud and understand how your funding allowed us to step in to so many more lives this Christmas and help shoulder the burden of living with deafblindness.

This is an excellent example of how some of the funds we are raising in our 2024 MCF Festival are used for the benefit of those less fortunate than ourselves.