WELCOME TO THE HOME PAGE OF THE
BEDS & BUCKS DISTRICT
of
THE ODDFELLOWS
Independent Order of Oddfellows, Manchester Unity Friendly Society
New to Oddfellows?
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ABOUT THE ODDFELLOWS
The Oddfellows is a not for profit friendly society with members nationwide.
Our aim is to improve the quality of life of our members, enabling them to get the most out of life. We offer a fantastic range of benefits and services ranging from social events to care and advice, and from travel clubs to cashback on dental and optical treatment. It is easy to join the Oddfellows. You can apply for membership online today by visiting our Head Office site: www.oddfellows.co.uk
MAKING FRIENDS
There are hundreds of branches across the country, run by enthusiastic volunteers, to help you to start making friends in your area. Visit our Lodges page to see the branches in the Beds & Bucks area.
Members meet on a regular basis and enjoy taking part in a variety of social activities - see our Events page for details of current events.
Social events are open to all members, and you can even bring along a friend. Non members are also welcome to certain events.
HELPING PEOPLE
The Oddfellows Society was originally set up in 1810 to help protect and care for its members, at a time when there were no trade unions, no welfare state, and no National Health Service. This tradition of helping people has continued to the present day.
All members and their families have access to the Oddfellows Advice Service, provided in conjunction with the Citizens Advice Bureau. Fully trained advisors provide a quick and efficient service covering a vast range of topics.
The Oddfellows raises money for various charities both at individual branches and on a national scale. Our own charity, the HA Andrews Memorial Fund was formed in 1971 and has donated more than £400,000 to medical research. This year the fund is supporting the University of East Anglia for a two year research project into the tailoring of a treatment for patients affected by Colorectal cancer.
In the Beds & Bucks District, an annual appeal raises money for a selected charity chosen by the Provincial Grand Master (District Chairman).
In 2011, our Provincial Grand Master (District Chairman), Sister Verena Lindsey, selected the Dogs for the Disabled organisation. Another smaller charity that does some fantastic work to help people in need. Visit www.dogsforthedisabled.org to find out more.
Previous Appeals (more information on our News Page):
In 2010, our Provincial Grand Master, Brother Stuart Lindsey, selected the Hearing Dogs for the Deaf organisation: nearly nine million of the UK population experience some degree of hearing loss. That's one person in every seven. Over 650,000 of these people could benefit from a hearing dog. Since we receive no government funding, we rely totally on the generosity of individuals and organisations. Visit www.hearingdogs.org.uk to find out more. Over £1,600 was raised during 2010.
In 2009, our Prov GM Brother Adrian Taylor has selected the East Anglian Air Ambulance as his chosen charity. Over £1,600 was raised. The East Anglian Air Ambulance operates a 365 day a year lifesaving service across Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire, Norfolk and Suffolk. It is a charity that receives no government funding, so is entirely dependent on fundraising and donations. The service costs £3 million a year to run, which is over £8,000 per day. They attend on average four incidents per day to deal with life threatening situations. Visit their web-site at www.eaaa.org.uk for further information.
In 2008, our Provincial Grand Master Brother Brian Pilgrim selected the Guide Dogs Association as his chosen charity, and over £1,600 was raised.
Thank you for visiting our web-site. Please read on for further information.