Freemasons in Huddersfield have donated more than £3,500 to Ruddi’s Retreat.

The masonic lodges in Huddersfield nominate a new Worshipful Master every year and the new Worshipful Masters from each lodge then nominate a joint charity to support throughout their year in office.

In 2023 the masters chose Linthwaite-based Ruddi’s Retreat as their nominated charity.

Throughout the year the masters arranged social events within their lodges and at each event held a raffle or other fundraiser with all the proceeds going to Ruddi’s Retreat.

The grand total for the year was £3,554.

Worshipful brother Jonathan Cole from the Lodge of Peace in Meltham said: “Freemasonry is one of the largest contributors to charitable causes in the United Kingdom, donating almost £1 million to charity every week.”

Ruddi’s Retreat is named after Ruddi Waterworth-Jones who faced a terrible battle to survive cancer when he was a baby and toddler.

His mum, Ali, set up Ruddi’s Retreat in 2012. During the two years Ruddi battled through intensive treatment, including chemotherapy, the children’s cancer charity Candlelighters gave Ruddi and his family a week’s holiday at Primrose Valley Caravan Park in Filey.

Ruddi took his first steps there and it gave his family the chance to spend some special time together. Ali decided other families should also have that opportunity so she set up Ruddi’s Retreat.

The charity has four caravans on the Primrose Valley Holiday Park near Filey and a fifth near Blackpool and provides free caravan breaks for families with children battling serious illnesses such as cancer, have life-limiting conditions or have suffered bereavement.

Freemasonry is one of the oldest secular social and charitable organisations in the world. Its roots remain a mystery but it’s thought their origins lie in the traditions of the medieval stonemasons who built castles and cathedrals.

Membership is open to men over 18 from all backgrounds and the organisation’s aim is to empower members to be the best they can be. It’s about building character, supporting members as individuals and helping them make a positive contribution to society.

Written by ANDY HIRST who runs his own Yorkshire freelance journalism agency AH! PR (https://ah-pr.com/) specialising in press releases, blogging, website content, copywriting and ghost-writing autobiographies.