Members of the Hexham Hextol Foundation received a £10,000 cheque at a dinner at St James’ Park.
SIX local charities have been boosted by a share of £300,000 as a celebration of the Freemasons’ 300th anniversary.
Local branches of the Freemasons have been fundraising over the past few years, raising a total of £300,000 across the region.
Bellingham War Cemetary Lychgate Restoration, Haltwhistle Young and Sweet Youth Club, Hexham Hextol Foundation and Ponteland Memorial Hall all received £10,000.
Prudhoe Community Workshop Trust received £5,000 and Wylam Community Playing Fields Association was presented with £7,000.
The cheques were handed out at a special dinner at Newcastle’s St James’ Park on Saturday night.
Peter Marshall, of Hexham Freemasons, said: “We try to support charities every year by giving them £100 here and there but it’s nice for us to give them more in a lump sum and to make a special effort for the celebration.
“This has been raised over a few years and was handed out at St James’ Park. It was packed with around 800 people attending and it was good to see how many people the money will benefit.”