ASPIRE is a Hereford-based organisation which provides a wide range of services to people with learning difficulties and other special needs, and the Freemasons of Herefordshire are very pleased to be able to support it.

Representatives of the Masonic Province of Herefordshire recently visited Aspire's Community Hub in Canal Road, Hereford to meet the staff, volunteers and those using the facilities, and to present a cheque for £500.

Aspire offers an impressive range of activities and opportunities to its members, including arts and crafts, pottery, gardening, drama and music. They provide meals and refreshments, and there are nearly 100 regular users of the hub.

In addition to hub activities, the charity provides support at home and with day to day activities, has two residential homes, one in Hereford and one in Ross, and organises outings and visits. All this is designed to help people with learning difficulties to be independent and to live their lives to the full. It has a dedicated staff of 37 and also relies on the hard work and enthusiasm of around 10 volunteers.

The Herefordshire Masonic Charity Association supports a wide range of local charities, like Aspire.

The money is all raised from Freemasons themselves, through regular donations, collections and fundraising activities - it does not raise funds from the public at large.

The Community Hub has a garden with a greenhouse for its members to work in, and the donation from the Freemasons will be used especially to provide equipment for that.

Both Freemasonry and Aspire are celebrating anniversaries this year - Aspire has been in existence for 30 years, while Freemasonry in England and Wales is 300 years old this year, with the first Grand Lodge having been founded in London in 1717 - a special year for both.