Inverness Masonic Lodge gives £1000 to national mentoring charity MCR Pathways to expand services in Highlands
Mentoring services to support young people who have had a difficult start in life are being expanded in the Highlands thanks to help from a masonic lodge.
Lodge Drummossie presented the national mentoring charity, MCR Pathways, with a £1000 donation.
The funding will help the charity to expand its services for young people from care-experienced and challenging backgrounds in the Culloden, Golspie and Nairn areas.
• Mentoring scheme set to launch at Culloden and Nairn Academy after £10k funding boost
• Inverness masonic lodge supports charity fundraiser
The charity supports adult volunteers, from all walks of life, to dedicate an hour a week in supporting pupils to build confidence, instil belief, awaken ambition and expand their future horizons.
It says research shows that care-experienced young people who do not receive MCR Pathways mentorship are 23 per cent less likely to progress to college, university, or employment compared to those who do.
Kenny Fowler, Master of the Lodge and MCR Pathways mentor, said the decision to nominate the charity was close to his heart.
“Mentoring is enjoyable and fulfilling. It is also a way of giving something back to the community,” he said.
“If spending an hour once a week can help a young person navigate through adolescence, then it is worth it.
“As a freemason, charity and community is at the core of what we do. If this donation can help the charity in the local community, then it is worth it.”
He said his son is also a coordinator for MCR Pathways and to see his work benefit young people made him extremely proud.
“My role as a mentor is but a small part of that, but if the fund helps support that then it is worthwhile,” he said.
“I think that keeping the funds in the Highlands is important as you then know that it is benefiting young people in your local area.”
Head of fundraising and communications Caroline Purves visited members of the Lodge to receive the donation.
““Our expansion in the Highlands is crucial to our mission of ensuring no young person is left behind, regardless of their geographic location,” she said.
“We are sincerely grateful to Lodge Drummossie for their generous donation which means more young people in this region will have a mentor who believes in them, encourages them, helps them navigate their future, and builds an inner confidence that gives them hope and optimism.”
