Northumberland Freemasons held a special evening at Newcastle East Masonic Hall to present more than £125,000 to charities and deserving projects throughout the region.
The Trustees of the Richard Henry Holmes Benevolent Fund meet twice a year to consider any requests for financial help and support from worthy causes in the Northumberland, Newcastle and North Tyneside areas.
Awards totalling a staggering £125,000 to 47 recipients were presented at the evening, with invited guests enjoying a buffet and talks from some of the charities present.
Ian Craigs, the Provincial Grand Master of Northumberland was delighted that so many good causes had benefited from the charity donations.
He said: “Charity is at the very heart of Freemasonry and as well as helping others internationally and nationally we are pleased to be able to help good causes much closer to home.
“The donations will help many people and organisations ranging from £350 for a school trip to a Roman Fort to £15,610 for Hexham Priory School to build a new sensory room for the well-being of their pupils,” he added.
The grant recipients from north Northumberland were: Northumberland National Park Mountain Rescue Team (£9,870), Wooler Drop In Centre (£2,400), Wooler Cricket Club (£400), North East Area of the Old Gaffers Association in Alnwick (£5,000), The Country Trust (£5,000) and 4Louis Wooler (£5,000).