Teesdale charity needs YOUR vote to secure vital cash

A DALE charity needs people’s votes to secure a pot of cash.

Teesdale Disability Access Forum is guaranteed to get at least £4,000 from the Masonic Charitably Foundation(MCF), but with support the charity could get as much as £25,000.

As part of Freemasonry’s 300th anniversary, the MCF is distributing £3million to 300 charities across the country and Teesdale Disability Access Forum is one of those selected.

The charity made it through two rounds of selection before being one of four charities in County Durham to make it through to the final 300. Each of the nominated charities will receive a grant, but the public vote will determine how much they receive ranging from £4,000 to £25,000.

Anne Henderson, chief officer for the forum, said: “A grant of £25,000 would make a huge difference to our work.

“We don’t receive statutory funding and rely solely on funding from the Big Lottery and the generosity of charities, trusts and foundations so that we can keep on providing services for the benefit of disabled people, older people, their families and carers.

“I would ask anyone who has used our services, or knows of the good work we do, to go online and vote for us. Every vote counts, so please vote for us and get your family and friends to vote too.” The MCF obtains all of its funding from Freemasons and their families. It is estimated that half of Freemasonry’s total charitable expenditure of more than £33million goes to charities to help people in communities.

Provincial Grand Master Eric Heaviside, from the Province of Durham Freemasons, said: “We are proud to be able to support many charities across County Durham, but in the 300th anniversary year we want to involve the public, as we well as local Freemasons in deciding which of the nominated charities should benefit the most. I urge everyone to visit the website and vote.”

To vote for Teesdale Disability Access Forum to win up to £25,00 visit mcf.org.uk/vote.

Anyone who has an email address but does not have access to a computer can visit the forum at 5 Market Place, Barnard Castle.