NHS charities, Salvation Army, Amelia’s Rainbow, Hope for Food, Stroke Association, Pink Champagne Dragon Boat, Oakhaven Hospice, Macmillan Caring Locally, and Prostate Cancer UK are amongst the charities which received funding from Freemasons at a local presentation evening.

In the first Freemasonry in the Community event since the pandemic and during the last three years more than £100,000 has been given to local good causes.

At the event, which was attended by the Bournemouth mayor Cllr Bob Lawton, the charity representatives received a cheque and were able to speak about what they do within the community.

Chris Lockwood, who heads the Freemasons in the South West area of Hampshire and Isle of Wight – which includes Bournemouth and Christchurch – said: “Charitable giving is very important to us.

“When the pandemic struck, our members dug deep and provided much-needed funds to those dealing with the virus, including NHS charities.

“Many charities suffered reduced revenues during Covid and we were very much aware of that and continued to raise as much as we could for them.

“Hearing from the charities’ representatives at the event really brought home how important their work is in our communities.

“All the money donated comes from our members – we don’t ask the public for it.”

Cllr Bob Lawton, who received a cheque for his chosen charity, Prostate Cancer UK, said: “I was very happy to be part of the distribution of monies to some extremely worthwhile charities in the Bournemouth area.”