Freemasons and Bulldogs celebrate 10 years of friendship

Freemasons on the Central Coast (FotCC) and the Central Coast Bulldogs (CCB) celebrated the 10th anniversary of their association recently at Budgewoi Soccer Club.

The Central Coast Bulldogs is an enthusiastic group of rugby league players ranging in age from 25–80 who aim to enjoy their beloved sport along with the camaraderie and sense of community that comes with it, to keep fit and active and, at the same time, give back to their local community by raising money for various projects in the region.

In 2014 the Bulldogs teamed-up with Freemasons from District 21 to collect tins of soup and warm socks to keep the many homeless people on the Central Coast warm during Winter.

The Sox and Soup campaign was launched by Shoebox Revolution, a charity providing care packages for the homeless, based at The Entrance.

The association continues today, with FotCC and CCB having carried out many fundraising events together and helping each other with community projects when needed.

On April 24, the Bulldogs were presented with a cheque for $6,600 by FotCC to buy the club’s kit for the year.

This takes the total amount donated to the club by the Freemasons to more than $45,000 since 2014.

“It may seem strange for us to provide a club – another charity – with apparel but FotCC rarely gives cash; instead we purchase needed goods and services and CCB provides financial assistance in the form of cash to many charities based on the Central Coast,” a spokesperson said.

“During the past few years the club has raised much-needed funds for Central Coast Kids In Need by donating money raised on their bus trips to games, conducting meat-tray raffles at Budgewoi Soccer Club, and by sponsoring a Race Day at Wyong Races, along with FotCC and other organisations.

“This year, already, CC Bulldogs have donated $5,000 to Kids In Need to assist children and families who require hospital care.

“Freemasons on the Central Coast are happy and proud to provide the Central Coast Bulldogs with their game jerseys, shorts, jackets and kit bags for the season.

“May our relationship continue, and our joint mission to help the Central Coast community flourish far into the future.”