Charity

The Mark Benevolent Fund (registered charity no. 207610) was founded in 1868 by the Reverend George Raymond Portal, then Grand Master of the Mark. His view was that charity should reach people without delay, and the Latin tag he chose, Bis dat qui cito dat (he gives twice who gives promptly), remains the guiding motto of the Fund today.

He gives twice who gives promptly.

What the Fund does

Many millions of pounds have been disbursed since, to individual petitioners and to charities across the wider community. Major recent grants include £1.6m to the RNLI for a new lifeboat, over £2m to Addenbrooke's Hospital Trust for prostate cancer diagnostic equipment, a £2.6m pledge to Hope for Tomorrow Cancer Charity for mobile chemotherapy units, and £1.7m in 2024 to wheelchair rugby clubs across Britain.

The Fund has also supported the national Blood Bike network with more than £1.2 million since 2016, sponsoring 16 Blood Bikes and 10 Blood Cars.

Help for a Brother

Where a Brother or his family needs help, the Lodge Almoner makes a visit and completes an application that passes through the Provincial Grand Almoner to the Petitions Committee. Grants cover daily living costs after a change in circumstance, household repairs and arrears, transport for hospital visits, mobility equipment and respite care for carers.

Surrey's part

Each year a different Province hosts the M.B.F. Festival, setting its own fundraising target well in advance and concluding with a Festival Banquet. Between Festivals, Surrey lodges raise steadily through their own appeals and the annual Provincial Benevolent Fund Dinner.

Read more: the Mark Benevolent Fund at Mark Masons Hall, or download a short history of the Fund (PDF).