THE Freemasons' Grand Charity - the central charity which dispenses grants to non-Masonic causes - has made a further donation of £4,000 to the Thruxton-based Hampshire and IOW Air Ambulance.

Grants to non-Masonic national charities are made to organisations working in five areas - medical research, vulnerable people, youth opportunities, hospices and emergency grants for disaster relief. A small number of grants are also made towards religious buildings.

During the year to 30 November 2007 grants were made to 368 charities totalling over £3 million.

The Freemasons' Grand Charity holds one of its three general meetings each year outside London, and this year it will take place on 27 September at the BIC, in Bournemouth.

It is being organised locally by freemasons of Hampshire and Isle of Wight, but will be attended by some 500 masons and their families from all over the country.

The meeting is open to the general public. Many civic and other local dignitaries are invited.