Freemasons donate more than £53,000 to good causes

The annual event, organised by Freemasons in Southampton, took place on Friday, May 8, and saw the funds distributed to charity representatives across more than 36 charities.

The money was raised through internal collections.

Hayley Jarvis and Erin Burch of Baby Necessities receiving a cheque for £2,500 from Chris Lodge of Solent Engineers Lodge. (Image: Ross Lucas-Young)

One of the charities said: "If only the general public weren't so blinkered with Freemasonry and opened their minds to the good Freemasonry does in the community, the world would be a better place."

The mayor attended the event and commended the Freemasons for their ongoing support of community causes at the grassroots level.

There are around 8,000 Freemasons in 250 lodges across Hampshire.

In 2016, they raised more than £7m for charity and hope to achieve a similar total again next year.

Further details are available at hantsiowfreemasons.org.