Durham Freemasons have donated £12,000 and six bicycles to the Sacriston Youth Project.
The money is set to go towards future Tall Ships voyages and outdoor youth programmes, including cycling expeditions as part of the Duke of Edinburgh’s Gold Award.
The partnership began when the Sacriston Youth Project sought support to send young people on a Tall Ships adventure.
Clinton Leeks OBE, deputy head of the Royal Arch Chapter of Durham, said: “We could see they were doing really good work.
“Tall Ships teaches teamwork, independence, and life skills.
“We were fans of the project and wanted to support it.”
The funding was made possible in part by a legacy left to the Universities Lodge by Norman Jackson, a Durham University metallurgy student in the 1960s who later worked in Africa.
Mr Jackson left £950,000 to support charities in the area.
Jenny Walton, charity manager at Sacriston Youth Project, said: “The Durham Freemasons have supported us for a number of years.
“Their earlier funding helped us offer a Tall Ships sailing adventure that was separate from the Duke of Edinburgh Award and truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience for our young people.
“Many were so inspired that they later chose to start their Duke of Edinburgh’s Award.
“Their continued support, including this new £12,000 for next year’s voyage, is amazing and very hard to secure.”
As well as the financial support, the Freemasons helped the project source bicycles for the cycling section of the Duke of Edinburgh Award.
Gavin Rowell, provincial charity steward, said: “I put the call out to our riders.
“We managed to collect four good-quality donated bikes, and with surplus funds from our last charity ride, we bought two new ones.
“We just want to help these young people succeed in next year’s adventure.”
Young people involved in the project commented on the support.
James Nadolski, 22, who recently completed his Gold Duke of Edinburgh Award, said: “It means a lot because it gives us opportunities we could never normally have.”
He completed a Tall Ships voyage through the project, using the experience to begin overcoming his fear of the ocean.
Recommended Reading:
Mr Leeks said: “It is about showing that we are part of the broader community of Durham, from the Tyne to the Tees and the Dales to the Sea.
“Through volunteering, funding, and practical support, like supplying bicycles and ongoing funding, we can do some real good.
Mr Leeks added: “We delight in helping our community flourish through the work we do.”
