Sustained by service: An Essex Mason’s enduring gift to Hospice Care

For decades, Frank Sharp has turned Masonic values into action, raising vital funds and pioneering new ways to support Saint Francis Hospice

For Frank Sharp, Freemasonry has never been a passive membership. Since becoming an Essex Freemason in 1968, charity has been both a guiding principle and a lifelong practice, shaping not only his outlook but also the lives of countless others.

Over the years, that Masonic commitment has found a powerful expression in his support for Saint Francis Hospice in Romford. What began as a shared charitable intention steadily evolved into something far deeper, a relationship sustained by compassion, dedication, and an unwavering belief in service to others.

A defining moment came in 2004, when Frank transformed a desire to help into tangible action by establishing the Yvonne Jean Stewart Charitable Trust. Created at the request of the family of a dear friend, Yvonne Stewart who had passed away in the previous year, the Trust became a vehicle for meaningful impact.

Frank became Treasurer, and his wife Angela joined as one of the Trustees. A few years later, Yvonne’s daughter Nina met Anne Brown from the hospice’s fundraising team at a charity event and following this connection, the Trust decided to focus its fundraising efforts on supporting Saint Francis Hospice.

That connection grew even more personal when Gary Anderson, the brother of Nina's husband Glen, was cared for by the hospice. From that point on, the cause was not only charitable but profoundly human. Since 2016 alone, the Trust has contributed an extraordinary £263,000 to the hospice, including a memorable £21,000 donation to fund the additional day in a leap year, a gesture as thoughtful as it was symbolic.

Yet Frank’s story is not one of standing still. Even after stepping down as Treasurer in 2018, his commitment did not waver. Instead, it evolved. Drawing on initiative and ingenuity, he expanded his fundraising through eBay, selling donated Masonic items to generate income for the hospice. These items, often passed on by the families of departed Brethren, carry their own quiet legacy, continuing to serve others in a new way.

When donations are scarce, Frank goes a step further, sourcing items himself and ensuring that every possible opportunity to raise funds is seized. It is this willingness to adapt and innovate that has kept the effort vibrant. In his most successful year, he raised just under £12,000, with annual totals typically ranging between £5,000 and £10,000. The momentum continues into 2026, with more than £3,000 already raised.

Throughout it all, there is a clear and compelling thread: Freemasonry has sustained Frank’s support for the hospice, and in turn, that work has deepened his connection to the very values and principles that first inspired him. Charity, compassion, and service are not abstract ideals but lived experiences, renewed with every item sold and every pound raised.

Frank Sharp’s journey is a testament to what happens when personal conviction meets purposeful action. By aligning his own outlook on charity with the enduring values of Freemasonry, he has made a real and lasting difference, ensuring that Saint Francis Hospice can continue its vital work for patients and families across the community.

And as his efforts show, the quiet determination of one individual can ripple outward, touching lives in ways both seen and unseen.

Frank Sharp has enjoyed a distinguished Masonic career since being initiated into Belfairs Lodge No. 4730 in 1968, going on to serve as Master on two occasions. He is also a member of Abbotts Hall Lodge No. 6205 and Essex Masters Lodge No. 3256, as well as several Royal Arch Chapters: Abbotts Hall No. 6205, Essex Hinge of Friendship No. 9296, and Essex First Principals No. 3256. Over the years, Frank has received numerous honours, including his appointment as Second Provincial Grand Principal in the Royal Arch in 2013. He is also an active member of several additional Masonic orders, notably serving as Provincial Grand Master of the Royal Order of Scotland.

You can read more about the Saint Francis Hospice by clicking this link to their website: https://www.sfh.org.uk/

Photos show Frank with several of the hard-working team at the Saint Francis Hospice