Taurus Lodge

In this edition of Beyond the Square we spoke to W Bro Keith Isaacs SLGR of Borough of Newham Lodge No 8627 about his work as Chairman of MCA Trust. MCA Trust is a dedicated charity for children with cancer, supporting local children and teenagers in Essex and East London through their childhood cancer journey.

Tell us more about this fantastic charity and how you got involved.

MCA Trust was founded in memory of Michael Charles Adams MBE, or "Micky" as he was known to his friends. Micky was passionate about sport and devoted much of his life to helping children and young people reach their full potential. He worked tirelessly to raise money for good causes, particularly in the East London communities where he grew up. Following his death in 2010, we set up MCA Trust to continue his great work.

Our charity is dedicated to supporting children and teenagers undergoing treatment for cancer, and their families, within Essex and East London. A childhood cancer diagnosis is devastating — not just for the child but for parents, siblings, and the wider family. It turns life upside down in an instant. Our role is to step in and help relieve some of the emotional, physical and financial burdens that come with this journey, whether that’s through special experiences, practical support, or easing the transition back to education after treatment.

The Trust provides several programmes to support children and teenagers undergoing treatment, as well as their families. What support do you offer?

Treatment is challenging for the whole family, so we organise well-deserved trips, events and days out, giving children and their families a break and an opportunity to create positive memories together. This could be a trip to a theme park, tickets to see a favourite team play football, or even a once-in-a-lifetime family holiday.

We also provide funding for medical and comfort equipment, helping to improve the treatment experience for children while they are in hospital. In the past we have provided oncology suite refurbishment in Hospitals to help make the experience a little more comfortable for both the child and the parents who stay on-site.  We have also supplied several 'Rockin R Gaming' consoles which are loaded with 32 games. These are used on the oncology suites to help with distraction and help children to be more comfortable during their treatment regime. 

Our Learning at Home Education initiative offers fully funded, one-to-one tuition for children who are unable to attend school due to their treatment. This helps ease the transition back into education when they’re ready.

Of course, fundraising is also a major part of the Trust's role, and you seem to have no shortage of different events to raise funds…

Yes, fundraising is the lifeblood of the MCA Trust, and we’re lucky to have a fantastic community of supporters who help us continue our work. We are proud that 97p from every £1 raised directly benefits those in need. Our annual gala dinners are a highlight of the year, bringing together donors, supporters, and special guests for an evening of entertainment, auctions, and fundraising.

Prem Picks is our football knockout competition. Competitors nominate a team to win a match in football’s Premier League; and if successful, move to the next round. The last person standing wins half the revenue, with the other half being retained by the Charity. It’s a fun and interactive way to get involved, and to date has raised over £30,000.

The festive season can be particularly difficult for families affected by childhood cancer, so we host special Christmas events to bring a little magic to the children we support.

The Trust has also just established The MCA Trust Sports Club in partnership with Everyone Active to help children recovering from cancer treatment to engage in sports activities. Why is this so important to children recovering from cancer?

Sport has always been at the heart of MCA Trust, and we know first-hand how powerful it can be — not just physically, but mentally and emotionally too. After months or even years of treatment, many children struggle with confidence, isolation, and the physical impact of illness. Getting active again can be a big part of their recovery, helping to rebuild strength, improve mental wellbeing, and restore a sense of normality. Through our partnership with Everyone Active, we’re making sure that children recovering from cancer, along with their families, have access to sports activities in a safe and supportive environment. Whether it's swimming, football, or simply playing together as a family, these sessions provide a vital space for children to have fun, regain their independence, and feel like kids again.

The work the charity undertakes is truly inspirational. Tell us more about the ways people can support the MCA Trust.

The MCA Trust is run solely by volunteers and driven by donations, sponsorships, and corporate partnerships. There are many ways to support us, and every contribution makes a difference, so we are always delighted to hear from people who want to get involved. People can make a one-off or regular donation or leave a legacy donation in their will.

They can also join us at one of our fun and memorable fundraising events. We’re always looking for passionate individuals to help with events, fundraising, and spreading the word about MCA Trust; and businesses can support us through sponsorship, fundraising initiatives, or workplace giving programs, too. We also run a charity lottery, where supporters can enter to win cash prizes while helping us raise funds for our programs.

At the MCA Trust, we fundamentally believe that a child who has recovered from cancer should not have the rest of their life blighted by the experience, and we’ll keep doing all we can to make a meaningful difference to these incredible children and their families.

To find out more and get in touch, visit our website at mcatrust.org.uk.

This article is part of the Arena Magazine, Issue 57 Spring 2025 edition.
Arena Magazine is the official magazine of the London Freemasons – Metropolitan Grand Lodge and Metropolitan Grand Chapter of London.

Read more articles in the Arena Issue 57 here.