Durham Freemasons have reaffirmed their commitment to supporting local young people by awarding a further £12,000 and donating six bicycles to the Sacriston Youth Project. The funding will enable more young people to take part in transformative opportunities, including Tall Ships sailing expeditions and the Project’s innovative outdoor and cycling programmes as part of their Duke of Edinburgh’s Gold Award challenges.
The partnership between Durham Freemasons and the Sacriston Youth Project began when the charity sought help to send young people on a Tall Ships sailing adventure as part of their Duke of Edinburgh’s Gold Award challenges. According to Clinton Leeks OBE, Deputy Head of the Royal Arch Chapter of Durham, the Freemasons quickly recognised the value of the Project’s work.
“We could see they were doing really good work,” he said. “Tall Ships teaches teamwork, independence and life skills. We were fans of the project and wanted to support it.”
Funding for these opportunities is partly made possible thanks to a remarkable legacy left to the Universities Lodge by former member Norman Jackson, a Durham University metallurgy student in the 1960s who later worked in Africa. Jackson left £950,000 to support local charities, enabling today’s Freemasons to continue his mission of helping young people pull themselves up by their own bootstraps.
For the Sacriston Youth Project, this latest support is crucial. Jenny Walton, Charity Manager, 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.”
Beyond financial donations, Durham Freemasons also stepped in when they learned the Project’s Duke of Edinburgh groups faced challenges sourcing bicycles for their cycling expedition. Provincial Charity Steward Gavin Rowell contacted members of the Durham Freemasons Cycling Club for help.
“I put the call out to our riders,” he said. “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 participants say this support is life-changing. 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.”
James completed a Tall Ships voyage through the Project, using the experience to confront and begin overcoming his fear of the ocean.
For Durham Freemasons, this ongoing partnership reflects their core values of service, charity and community. As Leeks explained:
“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.”
Clinton Leeks added:
“We delight in helping our community flourish through the work we do. If anyone is interested in joining us - ‘Don’t Wait To Be Asked’. Get in contact through our website: durhamfreemasons.org/join-us”
