The London Masons and the Masonic Charitable Foundation has donated £5,000 a year for the next three years to The Literacy Pirates (formerly The Hackney Pirates), a small children’s charity based in the London Borough of Hackney, an enterprising charity working to develop the literacy, confidence and perseverance of young people in Hackney, so that they achieve both in school and in the world beyond.

The Literacy Pirates make a transformative impact on the literacy, confidence and perseverance of young people aged 9 to 13 years old who are both falling behind at school and have fewer advantages in their personal circumstances, so that they can achieve both at school and in the world beyond. They give young people additional support in an exciting learning environment and the opportunity to develop published products alongside one-to-one support from volunteers from the local community, to increase their confidence and bring skills up to the level of their peers.

Jude Williams, CEO of The Literacy Pirates (formerly The Hackney Pirates) told us:

“We, at The Literacy Prates, are delighted to receive such a generous donation from London Masons and The Masonic Charitable Foundation. Their gift will help develop the reading and writing skills of  young people in London who are falling behind and have fewer opportunities in their lives. We all know that literacy is the key to educational success; and for too many children their circumstances are holding them back. Our Pirate Ships, now support by London Masons, create a fantastical environment to build core skills and the confidence and grit to keep on going when things get tough. Thank you to the London Masons and the Masonic Charitable Foundation for your deep generosity.”

Tony Shields, Metropolitan Grand Lodge Charity Steward commented:
“I’m very pleased we were able to help support the The Literacy Pirates and their Pirate Ships, in creating a safe place for young people to learn and develop.
This is another example of Freemasons supporting the London community. This donation follows on from a £1,250,000 donation, of a £2.5 million funding pledge from London Freemasons to London Fire Brigade. The funding will provide London Fire Brigade with two extended height aerial vehicles.”