Meritorious Award Presentation

The Provincial Grand Master of Oxfordshire, RWBro S. J. Dunning is pictured at Caversham Masonic Centre presenting the Masonic Samaritan Fund's Meritorious Award to W.Bro. M. W. Harper, PPrJGD, Charity Steward of Old Rectory Lodge 6651. The award, which is given by the MSF only under exceptional circumstances, is for individuals who have undertaken specific fundraising activities that have generated donations that are not credited back to that individual. The Provincial Grand Master stated: "W.Bro. Mike has promoted a ‘Solent Boat Trip’ and numerous other fundraising activities over a period of 12 years and is still going strong having raised a sum in excess of £14000. This Meritorious Award is justly deserved and is a shining example to us all".
W.Bro. Harper replied, "I am overwhelmed by this award, not having had an inkling that it was to be presented. My thanks go to W.Bro. Peter Jones for recommending me and to all those people who have supported me over the years, especially my wife Viv who has been totally committed in assisting me. Some years are better than others but 2008 was the best yet. On board this year, along with our own PrGChStwd WBro Peter Jones, were the PrGChStwd of Sussex and his party".
Other fundraising events Mike has organised are:
' Visits to Freemason's Hall, Great Queen Street'. ' River Cruise Caversham to Windsor by Salter’s Steamer'. ' Tour around the Isle-of-Wight by coach'. ' Blackpool Illuminations'. ' Duxford Air Show'. ' Thursford Christmas Spectacular Show'.
This is the fifth year of visits to the Thursford Show; over the years the theatre goers have also visited Lincoln Christmas Market, an Organ Concert at Woodhall Spa, the Battle of Britain Memorial Visitors' Centre, and the Lincolnshire Aviation Heritage Centre. W.Bro. Mike estimates that approximately 2600 Freemasons, their friends and widows of various Lodges, have supported the Boat Trip and the other events. This year's Theatre Trip included a full coach from his new home town of Market Rasen.