In 2010, the RMTGB supported a total of 1,820 beneficiaries. The number of new cases accepted increased by 30% when compared to the previous year as the effects of the recent recession continued to be felt by many families.

Our subsidiary charity Lifelites, helped around 5,000 children through their support at over 40 children’s hospices. In addition, the grants made to non-Masonic charities through Stepping Stones and our Choral Bursary scheme enabled us to support a further 230 non-Masonic children and young people.

Festival income and other voluntary donations continued to represent a significant part of our revenue and although lower than in 2009, legacies continued to be an important source of income. We are immensely grateful to all those who have made a donation to the RMTGB or remembered us in their will.

In 2010, our newly appointed investment managers concentrated on achieving capital growth whilst protecting our investments from major falls in the stock market. The reduced investment income reflects this new total return strategy. Improvements in investment market conditions and a property revaluation undertaken during the year have resulted in an increase in funds of over £5m. Following the successful refurbishment of our former headquarters, it is anticipated that our rental income will increase significantly in 2011.

Once again, we were able to meet our primary objective of maintaining our long-term commitments to existing beneficiaries and supporting newly eligible families which came to our attention.

Full accounts, which have been audited without qualification and signed on 19 May 2011 are available on request. The audited accounts were approved at the Annual General Court held on 21 June 2011. 

A summary of the 2010 accounts can be found in our latest Annual Review.