The Hampshire and Isle of Wight Freemasons along with others from around the country have contributed to a half-a-million pound donation.

The money is being directed to charities working on the ground in Ukraine, as well as organisations helping refugees in neighbouring countries including Poland, Moldova, Romania, and in the UK.

The £500,000 was raised in under three weeks and the total is still growing as Freemasons continue to dig deep to help the refugees.

The five chosen charities, each of which will receive £100,000, are:

1. The UK Committee for UNICEF (UNICEF UK) – which could help setup a ‘Blue Dot Hub’ to provide a safe space for up to 5,000 children and families on the move every day. Blue Dot Hubs offer critical services such as child-friendly spaces, mother and baby facilities and a crucial family reunification support.

2. Plan International UK – which could help set up 55 temporary learning spaces in Poland, Moldova and Romania, so children can learn and play in a safe space away from the war.

3. The Refugee Council – which could help to fund two full-time therapists to provide specialist therapy for hundreds of traumatised refugees.

4. British Red Cross – to fund work with hundreds of Ukrainian refugees in the UK to help them overcome loneliness and isolation and to offer other practical support to help ease them into life in Britain.

5. UK for UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency – which could help provide essential repairs to severely damaged homes in Ukraine that have been damaged by shelling and conflict.

Jon Whitaker who heads the Freemasons in Hampshire & Isle of Wight, said: “I’m very proud that Hampshire & Isle of Wight Freemasons have been able to play such an important part in this essential work.”