FREEMASONS have given several thousand pounds to charities aiding the old and young.
Durham Freemasons donated £750 to St Helen's Church, at St Helen Auckland, for the installation of an induction loop system for the hard of hearing.
They also gave £750 to the Playdays scheme at Bishop Auckland, which provides holiday entertainment for children with severe learning difficulties. The money will help the group to provide children with horse-riding lessons and other activities.
The Freemasons' benevolent fund has also provided £1,600 for the Butterwick Children's Hospice.
The money awarded to the hospice will add to the £5,600 the Masonic trust gave earlier in the year, to provide facilities for disabled youngsters at the hospice.
Assistant Provincial Grandmaster Charles Marshall said: "We pick the charities we give to quite carefully, and choose those that are really in need or do a really good job."
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