Incredible total raised for good causes

Updated: 27 Mar 2025

Giving back to our communities has always mattered to us. Last year, our branches and members donated over £163,000 to good causes. We share a snapshot of recent Branch support and how the Society as a whole gives back.

Brownsea Oddfellows raised £1608.50 for the Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance

Where we can help, we must.

Back in 1810, a pioneering group of workers came together in a pub in Salford to look at ways in which they could better support each other and the people around them. It was day one of our Society, and such intention became the bedrock to our values.

Jane Nelson, CEO of the Oddfellows, said: “Every year, when we work out the collaborative total, I’m astounded by the generosity of our branches and their members. We know that money is tight for many people, but they still dig deep and have compassion for those in need.

“It’s what binds us as Oddfellows – caring for people’s welfare and looking out for the needs of others. This humanitarian spirit makes me feel incredibly proud to be part of the Society. Where we can help, we must.”

Nene and Welland Oddfellows raised £2,500 for The Deepings Men's Group

Tunbridge Wells Oddfellows raised £1,200 for Age UK Tunbridge Wells

Society-wide charitable support

The 2024 total is not including additional financial help shown to other causes such as the RNLI, our HA Andrews Memorial Fund, the Orphan Gift Fund and sponsorship of the Oddfellows Brass band.

Backing the RNLI

We’ve supported the remarkable work of the Royal National Lifeboat Institute (RNLI) since 1868. Over the years, we’ve donated three lifeboats, as well as training and operational kit to the tune of around £600,000. Find out more about the Oddfellows' East Anglian Group Conference support of the RNLI.

Funding UK medical research

Our HA Andrews Memorial Fund was created in 1971 to honour a remarkable Society Secretary, Herbert Arthur Andrews. Since then, the Society’s major charitable fund has donated £1,214,000 to medical research projects. And it is all thanks to the generosity of individuals and our branches. From 2022 to 2024, we supported the Centre for Cancer Immunology based at the University of Southampton.

The Centre received £100,000 to help study a specific gene which it is believed can be manipulated to target cancer cells in a new vaccine. The ultimate goal of the continuing research is to create a vaccine that could fundamentally change outcomes for patients with cancer, particularly lung, breast, head and neck oesophageal and bladder cancers.

The Society is to announce the Fund’s next beneficiary at the 2025 annual conference (AMC) in May. Find out more information about our HA Andrews Memorial Fund.

PhD student at the University of Southampton's Cancer for Centre Immunology, Nur Zainal, took to the stage at the Society's annual conference to give a project update

Our Orphan Gift Fund

Since day one, the Oddfellows has looked after its young members and members’ children who have lost one or both parents. Over the years, it has formally developed into the Orphan Gift Fund.*

We’re currently helping 41 children and young people by funding the cost of items such as school uniforms, travel cards, books, musical instruments and school trips, as well as providing regular financial support.

Our Orphan Gift Fund is open to children who have lost one or both parents through death or desertion and is made possible by donations from individuals and branches. Find out more about our Orphan Gift Fund.

Sponsoring Oddfellows Brass

Since 1981, we’ve been the proud sponsor of a talented brass band, Oddfellows Brass, from Markfield in Leicestershire. As the official band of the Society, they travel the country to perform at public and Branch-hosted events, including a keynote performance at the Society’ annual conference. Find out more about Oddfellows Brass.

Poole, Bridport and Yeovil Oddfellows raised £1,500 for YFW Blood Bikes

Pride of Leicestershire Oddfellows raised £1,264 for the British Heart Foundation

5 Shires Oddfellows raised £1,700 for Dogs for Good

Handforth and Altrincham Oddfellows donated £100 to Action for Pulmonary Fibrosis, with a further £100 raised through member contributions

Cumbria Oddfellows raised £260 for Royal British Legion's Poppy Appeal

Bristol Oddfellows donated £1,800 to Unseen

Find out more about how the Society gives back to its communities.

*Terms and conditions apply to all financial benefits. All Oddfellows benefits are non-contractual and may be withdrawn at any time without notice. Read the full list of member benefit terms and conditions.