The Appeal

The Legacy Appeal for the Central Masonic Charities (CMCs) was launched at the Grand Lodge Quarterly Communication in December 2006.

The announcement was made jointly by Richard Douglas (Chairman of the CMC Legacy Management Committee) and Mike Wheal (Legacy Manager for the CMCs).

They were pleased to announce that the Grand Master of the United Grand Lodge of England, HRH The Duke of Kent, had agreed to be the Patron of the appeal.

The Patron had this message about the Appeal:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

      HRH The Duke of Kent, KG

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Legacy Appeal will ultimately be delivered, via a series of presentations and publications, to all the areas within the jurisdiction of the United Grand Lodge of England.

Initial presentations will be conducted by Mike Wheal, the Legacy Manager, but it is planned to recruit sufficient volunteer “Legacy Liaison Officers” in each area to enable the Appeal to be delivered to all areas in a timely manner.

The project is being undertaken in two stages: a “Pilot Scheme” and a “National Rollout”. The following areas agreed to take part in the Pilot Scheme:

  • Province of Bedfordshire
  • Province of West Kent
  • Province of Worcestershire
  • Province of Yorkshire, West Riding

The Appeal was launched in West Kent in March 2007, followed by Bedfordshire, Worcestershire and Yorkshire, West Riding.

Following successful completion of the pilot in the above Provinces, the Appeal was then launched in the Metropolitan Grand Lodge & Metropolitan Grand Chapter of London, at Freemasons' Hall in December 2007.

Further Launches have since taken place in:

  • Province of Leicestershire & Rutland
  • Province of Yorkshire, North & East Ridings

 and Launches are currently being arranged in:

  • Province of Surrey
  • Province of Wiltshire

Summary
 
"Of my own free Will …" should be recognised by Freemasons as a quote from Masonic ritual and is a reminder that everything in Freemasonry is voluntary … and that is true with the Legacy Appeal for the Central Masonic Charities (CMCs). The Appeal seeks to:

  • Raise awareness of the work of the Central Masonic Charities
     
  • Raise awareness of the importance of writing a Will, regardless of your age or circumstances
     
  • Raise awareness of the importance of legacy income to the Central Masonic Charities
Other phrases from Masonic ritual are also very appropriate to the Legacy Appeal.
 
We are asking you to consider leaving a Legacy Gift to one or more of the CMCs in order to "serve a friend or Brother in need". As is always the case, this should be "without detriment to yourself or connections". In other words, you should ensure that your family are properly catered for before making a legacy gift and indeed discuss your intentions with them.
 

Legal Advice
 
This website contains information about a variety of topics from Will-making to Inheritance Tax. It is provided in good faith and is accurate at the time of publication but:

  • When considering your Will, and even more so when having it drawn up, you should consult an independent, properly-qualified professional.
     
  • You should review your Will whenever your circumstances change, particularly whenever births, deaths and marriages occur in your family.
Legacy Pledge Form
 
The Pledge Form has two purposes:
  • To enable us to keep you informed of the work of the CMCs, if you so wish
     
  • To help us in planning for the future
Completion and return of the Pledge Form is entirely voluntary and its contents will remain confidential.
The Pledge Form is:
  • Not a legally-binding document; even if you complete a form to say you're going to leave a gift, you may subsequently change your mind.
     
  • Not a part of your Will or a substitute for any part of your Will
 

Legacy Appeal
60 Great Queen Street
LONDON
WC2B 5AZ

Telephone: 0203 116 0114
Email: info@cmc-legacy.org