Cheshire Freemasons Donate £30,000 to Domestic Abuse Charity Facing Funding Crisis
In honor of their 300th anniversary, Cheshire Freemasons have generously donated £30,000 to MyCWA (Cheshire Without Abuse), a domestic abuse charity facing a funding crisis. This donation, combined with community fundraising efforts, marks an important milestone in MyCWA’s emergency appeal to secure alternative funding after receiving less than 10 weeks’ notice of complete council funding withdrawal from April 2025.
MyCWA, one of Britain’s longest-running domestic abuse charities, has been providing life-saving support to families in Cheshire since 1977. Last year alone, they assisted almost 4,000 adults and children impacted by domestic abuse. However, with the sudden loss of council funding, their essential survivor services are now at risk of closure.
Chris Renshaw, a senior Cheshire Freemason, visited MyCWA’s support center and saw firsthand the crucial work they do for the community. He shared, “Supporting our local communities is at the very heart of Freemasonry, and there could be no more important cause than protecting vulnerable families in our area.”
MyCWA must raise £500,000 to sustain their full range of specialist services beyond April 2025. Despite their efforts to become more self-sufficient, the charity still heavily relies on funding to continue their essential programs. Thanks to the recent community fundraising and the Freemasons’ generous donation, the first £50,000 milestone has been reached. This ensures that support groups for survivors and children’s group sessions can continue, though potentially in alternative locations if funding for their Crewe support center and Macclesfield community hub is not secured.
However, many critical services remain under threat, including emergency refuge accommodation, emergency provisions for families fleeing abuse, specialist trauma recovery programs for adults and children, a multi-agency support hub, and behavior change programs aimed at breaking the cycle of abuse.
Saskia Lightburn-Ritchie, Chief Executive of MyCWA, expressed her gratitude for the Freemasons’ donation and the community’s support, saying, “After nearly 50 years of supporting families in Cheshire, this generosity shows just how much our community values these essential services.” She also emphasized the importance of their Crewe support center and Macclesfield community hub, which provide a safe haven for those in need.
To support MyCWA’s emergency appeal, visit their website at www.justgiving.com/campaign/savemycwa.
For media inquiries, please contact media@mycwa.org.uk.
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