At the annual charity evening on 14 May, Middlesbrough Freemasons presented a remarkable £20,400 to 21 local charities.

The Charity Presentation Evening is now an annual event, where Middlesbrough Freemasons, the Zetland Ladies’ Club (wives, widows, partners and daughters of Freemasons) and the representatives from their chosen local charities spend an evening together, during which they enjoy a meal, and then cheques are presented to all the representatives by the Middlesbrough Lodges, and the Zetland Ladies’ Club. Prior to the Presentation Evening, money donated was usually just given to the selected charities without any celebration.

The event this year, which donated a total of £20,400 to local charities, was hosted by W.Bro Ben Dorée , in the presence of the Assistant Provincial Grand Master, W. Bro Martin Eggermont, the Provincial Charity Steward Derek McKenzie, and their wives. It was an extremely successful evening, with over 80 guests from a variety of charities, including Teesside Hospice, Guide Dogs Teesside and the James Cook University Hospital Eye Department.

As W.Bro Eggermont said: “It was a truly humbling experience to be in the presence of so many worthy charities, and a pleasure to be part of such a wonderful evening.”

The evening certainly demonstrated that Freemasonry, and the Zetland Ladies’ Club, remain supportive of the local communities and charities by giving donations which are always appreciated, no matter how large or small, and they will continue to do so in the future.