Master’s Charity

Since 1998 the Master of each year has selected a charity which the Gild supports during their year of office. This follows from the Gild tradition prior to that date of always supporting a single Charity from Gild funds. Along with our support of the Lord Mayors Charities this is one meaningful way for the Gild to give back to the community and support causes important to the Master and the City.

Since the decision to have Masters nominate a Charity for their year, rather than taking any donation from Gild funds, the Master and the Court, along with members of the Gild and friends, work tirelessly throughout the year, organising and participating in a diverse array of events and social gatherings dedicated to raising funds for various charitable causes.

This year Mr. Bruce Harrison, Master of the Gild, has chosen Older Citizens Advocacy York as the Master’s Charity. OCAY has been an independent charity in York since 2002, funded primarily by the National Lottery as well as a number of smaller grants, donations and their own fundraising.

They believe that older people have a right to a voice in decisions which affect them, and aim to help people have their voices heard, through advocacy

Summary benefits of OCAY’s service

Personalised, one to one service offered over the phone, office or in the home
Speed of access and responsiveness
To spend time with all clients and offer continuity of service
To help people get their voices heard and access the right information
To assist individuals in navigating complex bureaucracy, empowering them to help themselves

Find out more about
OCAY

BEAT THE BOUNDS

During his year as Gild Master, Bruce Harrison will undertake a series of walks to ‘beat the bounds’ of the strays to raise funds for OCAY’s valuable work and to highlight the benefits of green spaces for our wellbeing.

Walmgate, Micklegate (including Hob Moor), Monk and Bootham Strays, together comprise the Freemen Strays of York, an area of more than 800 acres of open land within the City of York.

The next walk will take place in the Spring of 2026. Check back for when the next date will be announced.

Donate to Bruce’s Beat the Bounds

Find out more