The Knights of the Province also enthusiastically support the chosen charity of Great Priory; the St John of Jerusalem Eye Hospital. This is a charitable foundation of the (non-Masonic) Venerable Order of St John, the oldest charity in the world. The United, Religious, Military and Masonic Orders of the Temple and of St John of Jerusalem, Palestine, Rhodes and Malta as a whole give considerable support to the Jerusalem Eye Hospital by donations, Giftaid and through collections at Preceptory, Provincial and Great Priory meetings.

The Hospital is located in East Jerusalem, and was founded in 1882. Whilst it treats all who seek its care, irrespective of race, creed or ability to pay, the reality is that it serves the predominantly Arab populations of the West Bank, Gaza and East Jerusalem (population more than 3 million) for whom it is the sole provider of quality ophthalmic care and professional training. Eye disease causing blindness is ten times more common in this region than in developed countries.

In 2009, the hospital treated 92,384 patients - 31,017 of whom were under the age of 18. Furthermore, a permanently staffed clinic is maintained in Gaza and there is a very active outreach programme of mobile clinics to the villages and refugee camps in the West Bank. The Hospital is run as a heavily subsidised fee-based establishment, about 75% of its income being derived from donations and grants.

If you would like further information about the St John of Jerusalem Eye Hospital click here .