Less well known is the fact that most of this money comes from Freemasons themselves, not from any other source. Masons give generously, but never to an extent that would adversely affect the finances of their families. Assistance for both Masons and the non-Masonic world in general is achieved via four major national charities, two organisations local to Dorset and each of the 49 individual Lodges within the Province of Dorset.

The Masonic Samaritan Fund (MSF) assists Masons and their dependents who need essential treatment which is not available on the NHS, or cannot be obtained without considerable delay.

The Royal Masonic Trust for Girls and Boys (RMTGB) exists to relieve poverty and advance the education of the children of Masons as their father would have done if able.

The RMBI, MSF, and RMTGB rely on voluntary donations, legacies and Festivals for their funding, whereas the Grand Charity is additionally funded by an annual contribution from each Lodge member. A Festival is a system whereby every Province in England and Wales is asked to focus its charity efforts, over a number of years, on support for one of the four main Masonic charities, and by 2014 Dorset aims to present £1 million to the RMBI. Hence the 2014 Festival has a high priority amongst Dorset Masons.

Dorset Masonic Care (DMC) mirrors the work that the Grand Charity performs, but at a local level. Funded by donations from Dorset Lodges, and caring for Masons and their dependants throughout the Province, it can react very quickly when needed.

Affiliated to DMC, but entirely separate from it in terms of funding and accounting is the Provincial Grand Master’s Discretionary Fund (PGMDF) which almost exclusively supports non-Masonic charities and causes.

Last, and not least, is the help given to charities by the individual Lodges within Dorset. During his year in charge of his Lodge, the senior Mason, assisted by the Brethren, will raise money for the charities of his choice, Masonic and non-Masonic. Detailed figures are difficult to accumulate due to the natural modesty of those concerned, but the last, incomplete, audit suggested a yearly figure of well over £150,000.