24 local charities were this year honoured at the Middlesbrough Freemasons Charity Presentation Evening.

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 £21,500 to local charities, was hosted by W.Bro Ben Dorée , in the presence of the Provincial Grand Master, R. W. Bro Dr. David Chambers and his wife. It was an extremely successful evening, with over 90 guests from a variety of charities, including Teesside Hospice, Teesside Society for the Blind and the James Cook University Hospital Renal Unit.

R.W.Bro Chambers said:

“The evident pleasure that all the charities expressed at being recognised and supported in their work and the pride that the Lodges, Chapters and Zetland Ladies displayed in their achievement in raising such a magnificent sum. £21,500 in the current economic climate is an achievement and whatever sums were in the envelopes I have no doubt that it will make a difference to all those charities and organisations which received a donation. “

The evening certainly demonstrated that Freemasonry, and the Zetland Ladies’ Club, remain supportive of the local communities and charities, and will continue to do so in the future.