Charities and good causes have received cheques totalling more than £96,000 from Freemasons who meet in Bournemouth.
Town Mayor Cllr George Farquhar attended the Freemasonry in the Community event when representatives of the good causes explained what they did.
He received a cheque for one of his chosen charities; Every Paw Matters
Other recipients included cancer groups such as Macmillan Caring Locally as well as Project Planet Earth, Every Paw Matters, food banks and the Steve Bernard Foundation.
Each year Freemasons donate large amounts to one central charity for distribution while individual lodges fundraise for their own charities.
All the money comes from members.
Cllr Farquhar said: “I was interested to learn about Freemasonry and the misconceptions about it.
“Freemasons are known as secretive but that dates form the war when Hitler was persecuting them. I am pleased they are coming back out into the light.
“It was a great deal of money to donate and hearing from all the charities it is clear what wonderful and important work goes on in Bournemouth.
“I want to be able to use my platform to promote the charities and good causes.”
Chris Lockwood, who heads the Freemasons in Bournemouth and the New Forest, said: “It is always moving to hear from the charities and that really motivates us.
“A similar amount was donated in Lymington by New Forest and Christchurch lodges and we aim to continue.
“Charity is important for Freemasons and we also strive to make ourselves better people.
“The more members we have the more money we can raise and I’d encourage men and women to consider becoming Freemasons.”
The Freemasonry in the Community event was held at Knole Road, Boscombe.
The total donated was £96,450.
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