Lord Enniskillen Memorial Orphan Fund

By Brian Courtney

THE Lord Enniskillen Memorial Orange Orphan Society is the best known and best supported of all the many charitable causes supported by brethren and sisters of the Orange Institution, and Apprentice Boys of Derry, and Sir Knights of the Royal Black Institution.

The Society was formed as a result of the meeting of the Grand Lodge of Ireland in 1886 as a memorial to the late Earl of Enniskillen, an outstanding Imperial Grand Master.

Approved on December 7, 1887, as Enniskillen Memorial Orphan Fund, the name was changed to its present title 10 years later, with 13 orphans enrolled, and a grant of five pounds - a sizeable sum in those days - paid to each orphan.

In those early days the object of the Society was to help the Church Orphan Societies and of course there was no State assistance available.

Today, even with the welfare state, the Society continues to help the work of the various Protestant church societies in giving grants to orphans of members of the Institution and Association of Orangewomen. Financial assistance is given to children whose parents, either of whom are members of the Institution, and whose father or mother is incapacitated from supporting their family.

Benefits paid to orphans include a grant payable quarterly, plus a Christmas and a clothing bonus. After age 16 the child is entitled to extension or bursary grant for educational or medical reasons. Support is given to children needing special medical attention, convalescence care, or equipment.

The administration of the Society is presently undertaken at the Schomberg House, Cregagh Road, Belfast.

The first secretary of the Society, Wor. Bro. Rev. E. E Campbell, continued in office for 43 years. However, due to failing health in his latter years the duties of secretary were ably carried out by Rt. W Bro. John Drennan, J.P, Grand Secretary, until his death in 1930 when the Rev. Campbell tendered his resignation.

Wor. Bro. Samuel McVeigh took over in 1931 , and on his death in 1941 he was succeeded by his son, Wor. Bro. Robert S. McVeigh, J.P, who retired in 1978 and was succeeded by Rt. Rev. Bro. Walter Williams, J.P, Grand Secretary.

Bro. Williams retired as secretary-treasurer in April, 1994, and his successor is Wor. Bro. James M. Reaney, from Markethill, who also joined the full-time executive staff at the House of Orange as administrative assistant.

Memories

Many of us look back on our childhood with happy memories, but for many children, childhood can be a difficult time, with the loss of a parent, or perhaps they are medically incapacitated. Many children have lost parents in the 'Troubles' of the past 30 years and have experienced trauma caused by such terrible events.

For many families in these circumstances money may be scarce and they may have to struggle just to make ends meet.

"Children do not just need the ordinary things in life.
They need to be loved,
They need to feel secure.
They need to en}oy themselves and have jun."

The Lord Enniskillen Memorial Society is trying to help children to fulfil these things in life by providing financial security to them. In Northern Ireland, and indeed in Eire, provision for the parentless still remains inadequate, and they do not receive the financial support they deserve.

Christ always had time for children and His gospel demands that we care for them and love them. The Lord Enniskillen Memorial Orange Orphan Society supports the orphans and children of members of the Institution through practical caring and shows a Christian concern for those in need. The Society cares about children and young people and wants to help them all to reach their full potential whatever their background.

To date, since its inception, the Society has helped over 6,750 children. The continued success of the Society is clearly attributed to the generosity of the sisters, brethren and Sir Knights of our Institutions, not forgetting the Apprentice Boys of Derry Clubs and all the many friends and supporters of the various Orders, and the sound investments endorsed by the Society's Trustees.

Bro. James M. Reaney, secretary-treasurer of the Society, is confident that all concerned will continue to support wholeheartedly the good work and enable it to continue its vital work and help to develop new programmes of care for the future.

Bro. Reaney believes the motto and aim of all who value and support the work of the Society should be epitomised in the words and command of our Lord and Saviour

"Inasmuch as ye have done it onto one of the least of these My brethren, ye have done it unto Me.,' St. Mafthew 25, verse 40.