It will be a happier Christmas for many underprivileged children in Bournemouth this year thanks to local Freemasons.

They have given thousands of presents to the Salvation Army to distribute amongst local children.

The annual appeal saw the members bring in wheelbarrow-loads of gifts to Freemason’s Hall in Knole Road, Boscombe.

Tony Drake and Alan Davies of Knole Lodge started the collection a few years ago but this year was the biggest yet.

Leon Whitfield, assistant provincial Grand Master, attended the hand-over when the gifts were given to the Salvation Army representative Major David Alton of the Boscombe Division.

Tony Drake said: “There are lots of children who will receive nothing on Christmas morning and we wanted to change that.

“Our members are extremely generous and each year bring in a huge number of presents.

“We also raise money by raffling a wheelbarrow and this is also donated to the cause.

“After last year when things were difficult because of Covid we really wanted to push the boat out.

“Our members from Bournemouth and surrounding centres piled the presents high and it is wonderful to think that they might put the smile on a child’s face.”

Leon Whitfield, assistant provincial Grand Master, said: “This is a wonderful initiative and will cheer disadvantaged children at Christmas.

“This is a time of year when we think of others; children and the elderly being especially in our thoughts.”