MK SNAP Registered Charity No: 1013148 began in 1992, offering work training to vulnerable adults. After moving to new premises in 2004 which include a kitchen, cafe, and garden, they expanded into education, learning, and life skills in 2012. They now offer 22 course subjects to a growing number of learners with a wide range of disabilities.
BMCF have donated £3,883 to give support enabling the purchase of ten, 9th generation iPad’s with cases and chargers and have recently received the following testimonial: 
“The lightweight, portable iPads have been used on-the-go indoors and outdoors to boost the learning and IT confidence of people with learning disabilities at MK SNAP. We have already seen an increase in our learners’ confidence, communication and IT skills.
We’ve also seen an increase in enjoyment of using this new technology, especially due to the accessibility of engaging quizzes, assignments and exercises – this enthusiasm has made it hard to get a look-in sometimes! Before the new iPads, MK SNAP only had one set for one group of learners to use at a time. This donation means double the number of learners have access to equipment that enables them to fully participate in sessions through features such a voice-over, screen reading, and speech selection, (text to speech).
The ability to customise settings, such as text size, font, and contrast, has also made content more accessible and easier to read, especially for those with reading and writing challenges and those with dyslexia or visual impairments. We’re finding the interactive and multimedia content has also made learning more engaging and effective for learners with ADHD or executive function disorders. The iPads will allow for integration of text, images, audio and video, providing a more holistic approach to learning.
“We can’t thank the Bucks Masonic Centenary Fund enough for the generous donation which has made these new opportunities possible. See our learners in the photograph.” 

More about the Bucks Masonic Centenary Fund:
What is the BMCF?
The Buckinghamshire Masonic Centenary Fund was first set up in 1991 with the objective of helping non-Masonic Charities, groups or individuals within Buckinghamshire.
The Buckinghamshire Freemasons are solely responsible for funding the donations, which go to deserving causes that receive little to no support from national charities. The BMCF is a great example of Freemasons caring for the local community.

Eligibility Criteria
All requests are fully considered by the Centenary Fund Committee, which consists of 8 members who are all Freemasons. This ensures donations are only made to genuine needs and where they can be most effectively used.

The qualifications of our awards are:
Non-Masonic charitable causes dealing with poverty and distress with strong Buckinghamshire connections.
Specific projects or facilities rather than general appeals or requests to fund routine activities.
Buckinghamshire charities that deal solely with causes in Buckinghamshire.
Buckinghamshire charities that also have connections in adjacent areas.
Individual causes within Bucks or individual cases outside Bucks only if there is a strong Buckinghamshire connection.

Apply now:
https://buckspgl.org/BMCF

The head of charity In the Buckinghamshire Freemasons, Mark Duncan, visited a local children's accident and emergency unit in Bucks. He took Leo, his grandson, with him to help carry some of the fantastic teddies provided by  . 
During his visit, Mark met Arthur, who had fallen off his bike and received a nasty bump for his troubles. Upon receiving his teddy, he soon brightened up. The nurse on duty explained to both Arthur and Leo that when a patient is treated, the teddy gets exactly the same bandaging. 
In research about the importance of play during the hospitalisation of children, researchers discovered the following:
The bandaged teddy bear provides psychological and emotional support to the child patient, helping them cope better with the medical treatment and have a more positive overall experience. This can lead to better clinical outcomes as well as improved patient well-being.
When a child is injured or ill, they can feel scared, anxious, and distressed. The teddy bear acts as a transitional object, providing a sense of security and familiarity during the medical treatment.
Bandaging the teddy in the same way as the patient helps the child feel understood and cared for. It shows the medical staff are attuned to the child's emotional needs, not just their physical needs.
This practice can help reduce a child's distress and fear during procedures. The teddy bear becomes a source of comfort and companionship, making the experience less traumatic.
Research has shown that the use of therapeutic toys like bandaged teddy bears can have positive psychological benefits for paediatric patients, including reduced anxiety, improved cooperation with treatment, and faster recovery times.

You can find out more about this charity here:
https://teddiesforlovingcare.org.uk/

Founded in 1963, the Mursley Sports Association is a registered charity with the number 300307 that offers a variety of sports and activities to people of all ages in Mursley and surrounding areas. This includes children, adults, and those with special needs.
The goal is to foster a sense of community among the villages after COVID-19 and to stimulate physical and mental activity in the new region, which will be particularly helpful for the elderly and more isolated residents who will have easier access to exercise facilities.
A multi-user activities area, two youth football fields, and a full-size, award-winning football pitch are all part of the amenities. A communal space, a Village Coronation Sports Day and Dinner, a yearly fireworks show, and Christmas carols are all provided by the facilities, which also serve three nearby schools.

The Buckinghamshire Masonic Centenary Fund has made a generous donation of £1,225 to cover the necessary operating costs for the upkeep of all areas and equipment.

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

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.