Charity
The province is fortunate to have its own Benevolent Association which up until 2007 was a joint fund for Berkshire & Oxfordshire. This has now been divided between the two provinces and Berkshire has its own Berkshire Mark Benevolent Association (BeMBA).
Its objectives are to make grants for the relief of Mark Master Masons or Royal Ark Mariner members and/or their immediate families. The committee has the power to make other grants as it sees fit to suitable charities or organisations.
One of its great advantages is that the officers of the committee have the power to make emergency grants within 2 or 3 days of receiving a request. This ensures a rapid response to any appeals for financial help. As a registered charity it can receive gift-aided donations enabling the appropriate tax to be reclaimed from the government.
All Mark & Royal Ark Mariner members are urged to support the fund either through their own Lodge or by donating directly to the fund.