Sussex Freemasons give grant to help Indian families

Plan International has launched a COVID-19 response in eight states in India where we run sponsorship programmes, covering 29 districts. We aim to reach more than 6,000 vulnerable families with food ration packages and hygiene kits.

Plan International has also launched a mass awareness promotion, particularly among girls, young women, children and vulnerable young people, to help prevent the spread of COVID-19 in India.Women receives food kit in Odisha state from Freemasons SUS-210524-112905001 — Plan International has launched a COVID-19 response in eight states in India where we run sponsorship programmes, covering 29 districts. We aim to reach more than 6,000 vulnerable families with food ration packages and hygiene kits. Plan International has also launched a mass awareness promotion, particularly among girls, young women, children and vulnerable young people, to help prevent the spread of COVID-19 in India.Women receives food kit in Odisha state from Freemasons SUS-210524-112905001

Sussex Freemasons have given a £50,000 grant to Plan International UK to help families in India experiencing severe poverty.

The grant given by the organisation – which has lodges that meet in Hurstpierpoint, Haywards Heath and Uckfield – is enough to provide 1,700 emergency food parcels for some of the most vulnerable families affected by the pandemic.

Sussex Freemasons contributed to the grant, from the Masonic Charitable Foundation, which is funded by Freemasons across the country.

Deputy head of Sussex Freemasons Maurice Adams said: “I’m very pleased we’ve been able to help Plan International with their relief effort in India.

“This is a desperate situation and Plan International and the other organisations responding on the ground need all the help and support we can offer.”

On Thursday, May 6, there were more than 414,000 new confirmed cases as well as over 3,800 deaths in India.

Rose Caldwell, chief executive of Plan International UK, said: “We’re very grateful for this generous grant which will allow Plan International to reach families and young children in those parts of India hardest hit by the virus.

“It’s critical that we act now to provide this support to those most at risk”

To find out more about Sussex Freemasons, visit www.sussexmasons.org.uk