A CHARITY that helps youngsters with special needs to enjoy a day's fishing in the countryside has been given a welcome boost.

A framed papyrus picture of an Egyptian tree of life was auctioned at Trinity Lodge, Kendal, to raise money for the Cumberland and Westmorland Masonic Fishing Charity.

Worshipful Brother Howard Connor made the winning bid of £562.50 and the funds will help the charity to run its fishing events for children and young people with disabilities and special needs.

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Communications officer Brian Ferrington said that former Mason Brian Harrison gave the picture to Trinity Lodge. It depicts a scene from an Egyptian temple representing five stages of life - infancy, childhood, youth, adulthood and old age - through five birds perched on a tree.

Brian told the Gazette that, in Egypt, east was considered the direction of life as the sun rose in the east, so villages and cities were built on that side of the River Nile. Tombs, meanwhile, were built on the west, where the sun set. On the tree of life picture, the first four birds face east, but the fifth - old age - faces west.

To find out more about the Cumberland and Westmorland Masonic Fishing Charity, phone the secretary, Worshipful Brother Lee Robins, on 07711-546677, or visit the national website www.mtsfc.org.uk