Online and text donations have been pouring into the Freemasons’ Covid-19 Community Fund from Freemasons nationwide. This fundraising is in addition to the £2.5 million the Freemasons' charity, MCF, has already allocated to fund more than 50 local projects around the country, and a major grant of £250,000 to Age UK’s coronavirus emergency appeal. Projects that Freemasons have chosen to support include the provision of much-needed PPE, to health workers in hospitals and care homes, thousands of metres of fabric being cut and sewn into hundreds of sets of scrubs in the province and cooking meals for the vulnerable. All this is also in addition to the estimated £45m that Freemasons across England and Wales give to charity every year, and the 18.5 million hours of practical assistance they provide to those in need. Lincolnshire's Provincial Grand Master (PGM), David Wheeler, is leading the coronavirus response for a number of provinces in the region. He said: “The dedication shown by our members has been remarkable. “Faced with a major challenge they have risen to it and stepped in wherever they could to offer practical help, as well as funds to be used where money is most needed." Dr David Staples, CEO of the United Grand Lodge of England, said: “Once again Freemasons are making a major contribution in response to a national crisis. “The million pounds already raised will be added to our significant contribution to the fight against Covid-19, including the provision of vital PPE to key workers, tablets to the sick or elderly in hospitals and food to the most vulnerable. “I’m sure Freemasons will keep giving to our fund so we can keep providing vital support.” David Innes, chief executive of the MCF, said: “Covid-19 has created an unprecedented national crisis and I’m absolutely delighted that Freemasons have reacted with their usual generosity. “A huge amount of critical support has already been provided and we’ll continue to deliver help and support where it’s most needed.”