Durham Freemasons Donate £12,000 to Sacriston Youth Project

The Provincial Grand Lodge of Durham has made a significant charitable contribution to the Sacriston Youth Project, presenting £12,000 in funding along with six bicycles to support the organization's youth development initiatives.

The donation will be allocated toward future Tall Ships voyages and outdoor youth programmes, including cycling expeditions that form part of the Duke of Edinburgh's Gold Award scheme. The financial support represents a continuation of the Freemasons' long-standing commitment to youth development in the region.

The partnership between Durham Freemasons and Sacriston Youth Project originated when the youth organization approached the Freemasons seeking assistance to sponsor young people on Tall Ships adventures. Clinton Leeks OBE, deputy head of the Royal Arch Chapter of Durham, explained the rationale behind the decision to support the project: "We could see they were doing really good work. Tall Ships teaches teamwork, independence, and life skills. We were fans of the project and wanted to support it."

The funding has been facilitated in part through a generous legacy donation to the Universities Lodge from Norman Jackson, a metallurgy student at Durham University during the 1960s who subsequently pursued a career in Africa. Jackson's estate left £950,000 to benefit charitable organizations operating within the area.

Jenny Walton, charity manager at Sacriston Youth Project, expressed gratitude for the ongoing support: "The Durham Freemasons have supported us for a number of years. Their earlier funding helped us offer a Tall Ships sailing adventure that was separate from the Duke of Edinburgh Award and truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience for our young people. Many were so inspired that they later chose to start their Duke of Edinburgh's Award. Their continued support, including this new £12,000 for next year's voyage, is amazing and very hard to secure."

Beyond the financial contribution, the Freemasons have provided practical assistance in sourcing bicycles for the cycling component of the Duke of Edinburgh Award programme. Gavin Rowell, provincial charity steward, described the sourcing process: "I put the call out to our riders. We managed to collect four good-quality donated bikes, and with surplus funds from our last charity ride, we bought two new ones. We just want to help these young people succeed in next year's adventure."

Participants in the Sacriston Youth Project have highlighted the transformative impact of this support. James Nadolski, 22, who recently completed his Gold Duke of Edinburgh Award, reflected on the opportunity: "It means a lot because it gives us opportunities we could never normally have." Nadolski participated in a Tall Ships voyage facilitated through the project and credits the experience with helping him overcome his fear of the ocean.

Mr Leeks concluded by emphasizing the broader significance of the Freemasons' community engagement: "It is about showing that we are part of the broader community of Durham, from the Tyne to the Tees and the Dales to the Sea. Through volunteering, funding, and practical support, like supplying bicycles and ongoing funding, we can do some real good. We delight in helping our community flourish through the work we do."