Christmas came early to several food banks across the county when they received generous donations from Cambridgeshire Freemasons, who have donated £20,000 to those in need over the festive season. 

The donations will help five food banks across Cambridgeshire during the Christmas period and follow similar donations in 2021 and 2022. 

Masonic Lodges in Ely, Cambridge, Wisbech and Newmarket have contributed, with fund matching and additional support from the Province of Cambridgeshire Charity for Care and Relief and the national Masonic Charitable Foundation, which is funded by Freemasons, their families and friends, from across England and Wales. 

Food Hubs, Foodbanks and Community Lunches who have benefitted from the donation this year include: Wintercomfort For The Homeless in Cambridge, St Andrews Church Food Bank in Cherry Hinton, Ely Community Lunches, Newmarket Open Door and the Rosmini Centre Wisbech. 

The Rosmini Centre provides support to local families and individuals in Wisbech and the surrounding area.  

The type of support provided is tailored to individual needs, so could be in the form of information, advice and guidance, food parcels, daily lunches, support groups, skills development and employment support, clothing, food vouchers, pre-loaded SIM cards and much more. 

Members of Ely Lodges made their donation at the base of the Christmas Tree in Ely Cathedral, the site where the charity began.  

Speaking about the donation Giles Cornell said: "The Ely Community Lunches are available for absolutely anyone.  

“We do our best to ensure that everyone at our sit-down meals has a happy time with a warm welcome, live music, plentiful food, a visit from Father Christmas and a goody bag to take home.  

“This donation will enable us to continue support into the New Year, as the need for food, companionship and care continues after Christmas". 

This is the third year that Cambridgeshire Freemasons have supported foodbanks at Christmas, with other recent donations going to support children in A&E Departments via Teddies for Loving Care.