Members of The Vale of Nene Lodge, based at Ellindon Masonic Centre in Bretton, raised the money from donations by its members and visitors at their meetings.

Tom Watts and Gary Lewis presenting the cheque to Vicki Lunn

Two former Masters of the Lodge, Tom Watts and Geoff Frisby, shared the money equally between two richly deserving local charities, giving £500 each to the Sue Ryder Thorpe Hall Hospice and The Deepings Men's Group Charities Fund.

Sue Ryder Thorpe Hall Hospice is the only specialist unit in Peterborough providing care and support for people who are living with life limiting conditions. The £500 donation will help the doctors, nurses and care staff support people through the most difficult time of their lives.

The Deepings Men's Group Charities Fund is receiving £500 to help supply and maintain wheelchairs and other mobility equipment such as electric recliner chairs, bath lifts, showering aids and walking frames to help people of all ages in the Deepings and Glinton areas.

At the end of March this year, the current Master of The Vale of Nene Lodge, Gary Lewis, accompanied Tom to present the cheque to Vicki Lunn, Community Fundraising and Operations Officer at Sue Ryder. Vicki also showed Gary and Tom around the gardens and explained where the money would be used. On the same day, Geoff and the Lodge’s Charity Steward Gerry Kelly, presented a cheque to Deepings Men's Group Charity organisers Gordon Young and Andy Yates.

Tom Watts and Vicki Lunn in the Thorpe Hall Gardens

Vicki added,

At Sue Ryder we believe the end of people’s lives should be filled with treasured memories, family and friends and the funds so kindly donated by our friends at Peterborough Freemasons will help our care teams be there for families to help them fill their final days with love. £500 could help fund another 24 hours of our expert care. Thank you.

If you would like to know more about Freemasonry in the Peterborough area, please visit www.northants-huntsmasons.org.uk or call the Ellindon Masonic Centre, Peterborough on 01733 331948.