PRESS RELEASE
8th July 2013
Freemasons donate £35,000 to the Red Cross to assist with
recovery process following monsoon floods in India
Heavy monsoon rains have caused flash floods in the state of Uttarakhand in
Northern India. Approximately 300,000 people have been affected. 1,000
deaths have been reported but unofficial reports claim the death toll may be
5,000. As many as 50,000 people are displaced and 10,000 people have
been injured. This flood is the heaviest and deadliest in 80 years for the state
of Uttarakhand.
Richard Hone QC, President of the Grand Charity, has approved an
immediate emergency grant of £35,000 to the Red Cross, to assist with the
recovery.
Approximately 450 roads in the area have been completely destroyed by 15
landslides, making it nearly impossible for people to move to safer areas.
There are electricity and telecommunication failures in the district due to
strong winds and continuous rain and flooding. Potable water is not available
in some areas and there is scarcity of food and shelter.
Laura Chapman, Chief Executive of The Freemasons’ Grand Charity stated,
“It is clear that the devastation in India caused by last month’s flooding and
continuous rain ever since has caused immense problems, with a death toll
over 1,000. Freemasons frequently lend their support to the Red Cross when
disasters occur worldwide. It is hoped that this donation will bring help and
assistance to the many people who need it in the affected region.”
The Emergency Grants for Disaster Relief is just one of the initiatives driven
by The Freemasons’ Grand Charity which donates over £3 million to national
charities every year.
ENDS
For further information please Siobhan McCarthy, Head of Marketing at the
Grand Charity at smccarthy@the-grand-charity.org
Notes to editors:
About The Freemasons' Grand Charity:
The Freemasons’ Grand Charity is a grant-making charity dedicated to
supporting people in need, having donated more than £100 million since
1981. We provide grants totalling nearly £8 million each year in the areas of:
medical research, support for vulnerable people, youth opportunities, hospice
services, air ambulances and disaster relief; as well as providing assistance to
Freemasons and their dependants in financial need.
The Charity is continuing a commitment to charitable support that began
nearly 300 years ago in the earliest days of organised Freemasonry.
Please visit: www.grandcharity.org