Expected read time: 3 minutes
Posted: 24 March 2026
In October 2025, Stratton Richey, Chair of the London Freemasons’ Charity, paused to consider the scale of London Freemasons’ support for the Royal British Legion’s annual appeal. Records held through the Masonic Charity Foundation’s Relief Chest showed that, across all English Freemasonry, donations totalled £19,719 in 2023 and £17,068 in 2024. These were worthy contributions, but they hinted at far greater untapped potential in a city as large and active as London.
The Relief Chest provides a secure and effective way for Lodges and Chapters to donate, including the ability to claim Gift Aid where applicable. While some donations are made outside the system, the figures made one thing clear: with focus, coordination and leadership, London Freemasons could significantly increase their impact.
With the approval of its trustees, the London Freemasons’ Charity committed £50,000 in match funding to act as a catalyst for increased giving. Paul King, Metropolitan Grand Charity Steward, was asked to lead a carefully targeted appeal, designed not as a one-off campaign but as a renewed call to action around a cause deeply rooted in Masonic values: supporting older veterans and their families, many of whom are Freemasons themselves.
A dedicated Relief Chest was established, followed by direct engagement with Lodge and Chapter Secretaries and Charity Stewards across London. The response was swift, generous and decisive. In just three months, London Freemasons raised £90,000. Combined with the match funding, the total reached an exceptional £140,000.
The scale and speed of the response demonstrated the power of shared purpose and collective action, reaffirming the strong bond between Freemasonry and the Armed Forces community.
Importantly, this success marks the beginning, not the end, of the initiative. The Relief Chest (RBL) will remain open, with all donations made in 2026 going directly to the Royal British Legion. The intention is to establish this as an ongoing annual appeal, supported by the Metropolitan Grand Lodge and Chapter, with continued coordination from the Metropolitan Grand Charity Steward and his team.
John Thompson, Assistant Grand Master at United Grand Lodge of England
The following message was received from Lynda Atkins, National Chair of the Royal British Legion:
“On behalf of the Royal British Legion, I would like to thank the Freemasons across London for your generosity and steadfast support in marking this year’s Remembrance. Your commitment speaks to the deep sense of unity and shared responsibility that binds us together. Standing in common cause, you are helping to ensure that Remembrance is honoured not only in words, but through lasting and meaningful support for the Armed Forces community.
As Chair of the Royal British Legion, and knowing first-hand the values of the Freemasons through my own family, I am personally delighted to see our organisations working so closely together in a spirit of shared purpose and mutual respect. Thank you once again.”
John Thompson, Assistant Grand Master of the United Grand Lodge of England, added:
“I want to express my heartfelt thanks for your unwavering commitment and generosity. The support of Metropolitan members not only strengthens our work with the Armed Forces community but also demonstrates the very best of our values and our engagement within the wider community. The way we have come together shows what can be achieved when we act with purpose and compassion. It is a model of excellence, and one that I believe could be replicated across our organisation as we look ahead to 2026 and beyond.”
The donation once again demonstrates the historic and unique relationship between Freemasonry and the Armed Forces, marked last year by the award of Gold Defence Employer Recognition Award to the United Grand Lodge of England, as well as the release of a short video on Freemasonry and the Armed Forces.
John Thompson, Assistant Grand Master at United Grand Lodge of England and Lynda Atkins, National Chair of The Royal British Legion
Source URL: https://www.ugle.org.uk/fmt-live/community-engagement/ps140000-raised-just-three-months-london-freemasons-back-royal-british-legion