Across the region this Christmas, Durham Freemasons are putting charity into action, demonstrating that the true spirit of Christmas lies not just in generosity, but in compassion, service, and human connection.
With support from individual Freemasons, local Lodges and the Durham Freemasons Charity, members are coming together to serve their communities this Christmas and throughout the festive period. Alongside financial support and community grants, Freemasons are giving their time on Christmas Day through a range of activities, from serving meals in Spennymoor to offering companionship to those most in need in Sunderland.
This year’s work builds on a long tradition of service across County Durham, Sunderland, Teesside, and South Tyneside, with Christmas support delivered throughout the region. Activities have included Feeding Families collections in Shildon, Hartlepool, Stockton, and Sunderland, as well as support for children’s Christmas parties in South Shields, where 72 children were welcomed for a festive celebration, helping to bring joy to families facing difficult circumstances.
One powerful example is the “Wear Here to Support You This Christmas” programme in Sunderland, supported by a £1,500 grant from the Durham Freemasons Charity. Now in its twelfth year, the initiative was inspired by a volunteer who met a young man alone in Barnes Park on Christmas Day with nowhere to go. That moment led to the creation of a support network to ensure no one in the community feels isolated during the festive season. With this funding, dedicated volunteers continue to provide free Christmas lunches, entertainment, and companionship to homeless, lonely, and vulnerable people. The grant was formally presented to the Wear Here to Support You This Christmas programme at Sunderland Queen Street Masonic Hall, the oldest purpose-built and continuously used Masonic Hall in the world. This highlighted both the city’s historic roots in Freemasonry and its ongoing commitment to community service.
Malcolm Watson, Chair of Wear Here to Support You This Christmas, said:
“At Christmas, many statutory services are reduced or closed, leaving some of the most vulnerable people with very little support. The backing we receive from Durham Freemasons helps fill that gap at a time when it really matters.”
This commitment to service is further demonstrated through the Feeding Families project, in which Freemasons support food collections and the distribution of essential supplies in Shildon, Hartlepool, Stockton and Sunderland. By working alongside local partners, the project helps families experiencing financial hardship to cope with rising living costs and ensures that households across the region receive practical support at Christmas.
The spirit of putting charity into action is also reflected in Peterlee, where a £1,500 grant from the Durham Freemasons Charity supported a Christmas dinner hosted by FACT - Fighting All Cancers Together - bringing together families, carers and people living with cancer for an afternoon of companionship, celebration and reassurance that they are not alone.
Andrew Foster, Deputy Head of Durham Freemasons, said:
“This Christmas, Freemasons across Durham are showing that charity is more than writing a cheque. It is about giving time, effort, and care. Whether serving meals or spending time with those who would otherwise be alone, our members are determined to ensure no one is left behind.”
Martin Rankin, Assistant Head of Durham Freemasons and Chair of the Durham Freemasons Charity, said:
“At Christmas, it is vital that people facing hardship or loneliness feel supported and valued. By backing community organisations and giving our time directly in local communities, we are putting charity into action where it is needed most.”
As families gather to celebrate Christmas, Durham Freemasons will be out in their communities, giving their time on Christmas Day through activities ranging from serving meals in Spennymoor to offering companionship to those most in need in Sunderland. This is living proof that the true meaning of Christmas is found in service to others.
