A LOCAL Freemasons Group has donated to a baker's dozen of local organisations.

Back in January the annual Furness and South Lakeland Freemasons Group held their annual dinner and boxing evening at the Cumbria Grand Hotel, Grange over Sands.

The event raised over £9,500 which was distributed at a presentation evening recently held at Barrow in Furness Masonic Hall.

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Boxing chairman Gary Rogerson said: “It is our policy to donate half the money to charities administered by the masons and give the rest to local good causes. This was the 31st occasion we have held the event and the total raised now stand at over £190,000.”

Donations of between £150 and £600 totalling £4,800 were presented to 13 organisations.

Among these was Kendal Amateur Boxing Club under whose auspices the event is run.

Alan Willoughby, the chairman of the club, said: “We are proud to have been associated with this venture since its inception, the monies raised make all the effort in arranging the bouts worthwhile.”

Also receiving donations was Ulverston Town Band who will put the money towards the purchase of new uniforms.

The Owl Sanctuary also received a donation and brought along a number of their charges on the night which proved very popular.

In addition £2,100 was presented to Tony Harrison, the head of West Lancashire Freemasons, for distribution by the national masonic charity with a further £2,800 being donated to the six masonic meeting places in the group.

Arrangements are already well underway for the 2018 event when it is hoped the £200,000 mark will be passed.