Youth Concern, a Registered Charity Number 1175680, has been supporting young people for over 44 years and now has a drop-in centre at the Uptown Coffee Bar on Whitehill Lane in Aylesbury to help vulnerable young people from 13 to 25 years old, specialising in those with additional challenges, who are financially vulnerable to receiving support from health, mental health, or social care services, or who are affected by domestic or sexual violence or abuse. 
The drop-in centre provides a warm welcome to over 700 people a year with a range of services, including table tennis and pool tables, a music studio, free Wi-Fi and access to laptops, and advice on sexual health and substance misuse, education, training, employment, and counselling. The charity provides counselling for 55 young people at a time, has been praised for it’s “gold standard” of service, and also runs two homelessness prevention projects.
The Bucks Masonic Centenary Fund has donated £4864.00 to purchase art & craft materials, fitness equipment, games, and a music studio.

Look out each week for informative community service and charity news from the Hall Stone of Buckinghamshire.
You can find out more about the Buckinghamshire Masonic Centenary Fund here: https://buckspgl.org/BMCF

Wendover Dementia Support (charity No: 1182184) was set up in 2019 and appears as the Monday Café with a range of activities and live music and provides a space where those, including Dementia, can attend and be supported. The volunteers provide a support service and companionship to those diagnosed with dementia and their carers and families. They are a team of volunteers that bring together different knowledge, skills, and experiences. This team includes two retired GPs, a palliative care nurse and bereavement specialist, a frailty care coordinator, and a dementia champion who is experienced in dementia care. 
A donation of £2,738, from the Buckinghamshire Masonic Centenary Fund, has been used to purchase speakers, projectors and a screen for training and family sessions, plus music boxes preloaded with their own choice of music, which are offered to all.

Look out each week for informative community service and charity news from the Hall Stone of Buckinghamshire.
You can find out more about the Buckinghamshire Masonic Centenary Fund here: https://buckspgl.org/BMCF

Steve Perry of the Manor of Swanbourne lodge took 2 weeks off work and set himself a challenge, a challenge to conquer the mighty Mount Kilimanjaro in Africa to raise funds for @willenhospice with a group of like minded individuals. The trek took place from 27th Jan to 2nd Feb.

After months of training, this challenging trek would push him to his limits, testing his endurance, resilience, and strength in the face of high altitude and physical obstacles.

Mount Kilimanjaro is a dormant volcano located in the Kilimanjaro Region of Tanzania. It is the highest mountain in Africa and the highest single free-standing mountain above sea level in the world: 5,895 m !

Willen Hospice in Milton Keynes provides compassionate care to those with life-limiting illnesses. They provide comfort, alleviate pain, and lessen anxiety in patients and their loved ones. Every pound donated counts because it allows them to aid more people in Milton Keynes when and when they need it. They receive less than a quarter of their financial support from the NHS, thus the remainder is contributed or raised by great people.

Steve's climb might have ended, but the journey for Willen Hospice goes on. Every donation helps ensure that they can continue offering care, comfort, and support to those in need.  We can provide the link to the fundraising platform should you wish to donate to his challenge & this charity.

If you would like to be part of a global community that has had, and still has so many famous members, that has its roots firmly in the ground in Buckinghamshire, please join us by following this link: https://buckspgl.org/info=kilimanjaro

In the first meeting in 2024, it was a double celebration at the Lodge of St Barnabas No. 948 on Thursday evening. Not only did the lodge raise Bro Catalin to the sublime degree of a Master Mason, but they also presented £500 cheques to three very worthwhile organisations. Seen here receiving them are Bro Terry representing the Prebendal Close Masonic Housing Association, Bro Bob, a member of St Barnabas Lodge who accepted the cheque on behalf of ,where he volunteers; and W.Bro Paul Halfhide, the Buckinghamshire co-ordinator for .
Also pictured were St Barnabas's newly-raised Bro Catalin, on the right by St Barnabas Charity Steward W.Bro Andy, and at the back by W.Bro Chris Soper, who acted as Master for part of the evening's ceremony. An excellent meeting all round, completed by a Festive Board of roast lamb with all the trimmings!

If you would like to be part of this lodge and a global community that has its roots firmly in the ground in Buckinghamshire, please join us by following this link:
https://buckspgl.org/join

BIG thanks to Brickhill Lodge, Emergency Services and Longueville Lodge for Volunteering to help today.
Now we need a few volunteers to deliver them.

If you would like to start your journey into Freemasonry please join us by following this link: https://mtr.cool/wckxknugby
After filling in the short form, our Membership Team will be in touch.

Following the ceremony the Brethren had an Oktoberfest themed Festive Board with tomatencremesuppe, German Goulash and a dessert of apple strudel.

Home brewed Pils was drunk with the meal and a guest Paulaner beer at the bar.

The new master announced his main charities for the year would be Thames Valley Air Ambulance and Florence Nightingale House Hospice in Aylesbury.

£250 was raised in the raffle.