One of the region’s most innovative and unique outdoor learning spaces was opened recently thanks to a generous donation from the Freemasons following a vote where the public got to say which charity should benefit.
The Percy Hedley Foundation received a £15,000 Community Award from the Masonic Charitable Foundation. The award was given as part of Freemasonry’s 300th anniversary celebrations where a staggering £3 million was distributed to 300 charities across the UK. For project awards from £4,000 to £25,000, the public were asked to cast their vote.
The donation was used to develop a forest school at Northern Counties School in Jesmond, which provides education for over 90 children with a hearing impairment or visual impairment, profound and multiple learning disabilities or autism spectrum disorder.
The forest school will be used to help develop self-confidence, improve physical skills, give students an awareness of the natural environment and will allow them to experience appropriate risks and challenges.
Jo Allen, Head of Northern Counties School, said: “Our new, dedicated forest school gives all of our learners the opportunity to understand the outdoors and to learn through new activities and experiences. We are very grateful to the freemasons for their kind donation and to everyone who voted for us too. This garden will help our children’s development for decades to come.”
The Masonic Charitable Foundation obtains all of its funding from Freemasons, their families and friends. It is estimated that half of Freemasonry’s total charitable expenditure of over £33m goes to charities that help people in communities across the country.
Group shot of all the guests at the opening including Jo Allen ( 2nd from left ) and Brian Denton ( blue suit)
Brian Denton from Northumberland Freemasons said: “It is fantastic to see this donation being used to such good effect right here in Newcastle. The Percy Hedley Foundation was one of six local charities nominated by local Freemasons in Newcastle, North Tyneside and Northumberland and I am delighted to see this project doing so much good for the young people.”
As well as the help from the freemasons, the school has also received other help from local businesses and volunteers to make the forest school a success.
Local landscape designer Brad Doherty from One Landscapes and Cowell’s garden centre worked on the project.
Helping with digging and planting were teams of volunteers from Virgin Money and CDC Wealth Management Ltd, a Chartered Financial Planning firm where five members of their team put their wellies on to cut back grass, carried out weeding and planted over 200 plants.
Additional Funds have also been given by The Mel Weir Charitable Trust towards this project.
