Freemasonry raises money for a wide range of charitable purposes (including medical research, air ambulances, community care, emergency relief work, education and work with young people). Today we are one of the largest charitable givers in the UK, contributing more than £48 million to deserving causes in 2018 alone. The Old Chigwellian Lodge is pleased to have supported a number of important causes in recent years, including the Metropolitan Masonic Cyberknife Appeal for St Bartholomew’s Hospital in London, which has purchased a £ 3 million ’CyberKnife.’ This is not actually a knife at all. It’s a state-of-the-art piece of equipment that allows specialist oncologists to treat tumours and other medical conditions painlessly without the need for an operation. CyberKnife uses pencil beams of radiation which can be directed at any part of the body from any direction via a robotic arm. The robotic arm tracks the tumour’s position, detects any movement of the tumour or patient, and automatically corrects its positioning before targeting the tumour with multiple beams of high-energy radiation, destroying abnormal tissue without damaging surrounding areas. The treatment is so accurate that it’s now possible to treat tumours previously thought to be inoperable. Recently we supported the successful appeal to fund a second Air Ambulance for London. Currently, we are raising funding to support the £2.5 million appeal for the London Fire Brigade with two extended height aerial vehicles which will reach 25 floor tall buildings. Of course, we also support local charities. If you would like to know more about us or have an informal chat about joining us either as a member or to arrange a visit, please contact the Lodge Secretary for more information