Crowns and capes came out at aged care villages in Armidale, Glen Innes, Moonbi, and Tamworth as residents and communities raised money for people in need, with Moonbi taking home the trophy for raising the most.
The Grand Stroll, a new fundraising initiative from the Royal Freemasons’ Benevolent Institution (RFBI), was held on Wednesday, 14 October as part of a broader northern NSW fundraising trial supporting RFBI’s Benevolence Program.
Across the participating RFBI villages, more than $2,240 was raised through ticket sales, donations, and purchases on the day.
RFBI Moonbi Masonic Village received a trophy and certificate for raising the most funds.
For the first time, several RFBI villages joined together under one fundraising campaign, while each created its own Grand Stroll experience. Each village developed a walking route through its grounds and gardens, with some events moving indoors when wet weather intervened.
“There were crowns, capes, plenty of laughs and a little friendly competition, but what really stood out was seeing people come together,” said RFBI Chief Marketing Officer Alana Parker.
“That was exactly what we hoped The Grand Stroll would achieve.”
The Royals and Superheroes theme took on a life of its own. In Glen Innes, residents and staff dressed as royalty and posed around a royal throne. Across the region, crowns and capes appeared alongside trivia and egg-and-spoon races.
At RFBI Tamworth Masonic Village, General Manager Ben Callaghan presented the village’s Best Dressed awards.
RFBI has provided more than $15 million in benevolent support over the past 15 years. The Grand Stroll builds on that history while trialling a more coordinated approach, bringing several locations together under one campaign rather than running separate activities.
“What made it even more meaningful was knowing that while everyone was enjoying themselves, they were also supporting RFBI’s longstanding benevolent work,” Ms Parker said.
“It was a simple way for our residents and local communities to come together and do something positive for others.”
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