Archbishop supports Order of Malta Fundraising Ball
Archbishop Cushley joined 200 guests at Prestonfield House in Edinburgh for the Order of Malta 2024 charity fundraising ball.
The Order, one of the Catholic church's oldest and largest charities, operating in 120 countries around the world, was raising funds for its work in Scotland.
This includes initiatives like Dial-a-Journey in Stirling & Falkirk, that provides a transport service for those with mobility needs who are often unable to use public transport.
The Ball was supported by Lady Celestria Hales and Mark Watson-Gandy, the President and the Chancellor of the Order. Also attending were the Earl and Countess of Mansfield, the Earl of Morton, and Sir Jack and Lady Stewart-Clark.
The Companions of the Sovereign Military Order of Malta (CoM) is a key volunteer force for delivering the charitable work of the Order of Malta in Great Britain — a Catholic religious order and charity. Its mission is ‘to practise our faith and to practise charity’.
Find out more on the Order of Malta UK website here.
GALLERY: Charity's benefit from Order of Malta's fundraising ball
People came together for a fundraising ball in Edinburgh on Saturday to help charitable causes in Scotland and Ukraine.
The events was hosted by the Order of Malta at the Sheraton Grand Hotel in Edinburgh and was attended by over 230 guests.
The money raised from the event will:
Assist children at a school for the disabled in Ukraine.
Be spent on continuing the Order of Malta's Dial-a-Journey scheme in Stirling and Falkirk.
Fund the Order of Malta's work with the homeless in Edinburgh and the central belt.
Archbishop Leo Cushley attended the event, along with the Chancellor of the Order of Malta, the Delegate and prior delegate of the Order in Scotland and several clergy.
It is the 20th occasion that the Order of Malta has hosted an annual charity fundraising ball in Edinburgh, which raises funds for its charitable projects in Scotland and overseas.
The Sovereign Order of Malta is the world's oldest Christian charity. Founded in the eleventh century in Jerusalem, today it numbers 150,000 medical and paramedical personnel and volunteers operating in over 120 countries.
It has diplomatic relations with over 100 states and the European Union, and permanent observer status at the United Nations. It is neutral, impartial and apolitical.
Gallery
Companions of the Order of Malta are parcel perfect!
The Companions of the Order of Malta were busy in the Borders and Edinburgh over Easter distributing parcels to a variety of locations that cater for those in need.
The parcels contained an assortment of clothing and toiletries, together with an Easter egg. The group has also recently established a monthly tea party in Jedburgh.
The Sovereign Military Order of Malta is a global Catholic religious lay order and charity that helps the disabled, the homeless, refugees, the elderly and victims of natural epidemics and wars.
In Great Britain it runs an auxiliary organisation called the Companions of the Order of Malta, a key volunteer force in delivering its charitable work.
The Companions' mission is that of the Order of Malta - to care for society’s marginalised, inspired by Christian charity to help those in need.
They are organised on a regional basis, with Group Coordinators in different parts of the country.
Order of Malta honours exceptional work of volunteers
The Order of Malta gathered in Edinburgh to highlight the valuable contribution of those who have supported its charitable work.
Holy Mass was celebrated by Archbishop Leo Cushley at St Margaret’s Chapel at the Gillis Centre on Monday before an investiture ceremony.
A Bronze Medal of Merit was awarded to Gordon Brankin, who first joined the Companions of the Order of Malta in 2010.
The Aberdonian has been an enthusiastic supporter of its work, which has included the distribution of Christmas parcels to those in need.
The Silver Medal of Merit was given to Margaret Watson from Stirling for her volunteer work as a driver with the Order’s Dial-a-Journey service in Stirling.
The same medal was given to Shirley Erskine (main picture) from the Shieldhill area of Falkirk, who has also volunteered with Dial-a-Journey.
The Cross of Merit civil division was awarded to Herbert Coutts, who has served as chairman for Dial-a-Journey.
He was commended for his work in overhauling the service’s governance arrangements and for strengthening links with local councils.
The investiture was for awards in the order ‘pro merito melitensi’. The Order Pro Melitensi is a knightly order attached to the Order of Malta.
It was established in 1920 to recognise the valuable work of people all over the world who, though not necessarily members of the Order, by their exceptional work and dedication exemplify its values and bring the order honour.
Find out more about the Order of Malta here. Read about the Dial-a-Journey service here.