FREEMASONS have raised £200,000 for worthwhile causes in East Lancashire in just two years.

Theatre groups in Blackburn and Rossendale, an Accrington junior football club and a special school are a few of the many organisations that have benefited from the generosity of some 7,500 local masons.

The East Lancashire Masonic Charity (ELMC), which combines the fund-raising efforts of 15 districts across the region, formed a special community fund in 2006 in response to an appeal from the national Grand Master, The Duke of Kent.

In his address the Duke said Masons ought to involve themselves more in the community rather than just hand over cash donations.

Since then the ELMC has raised a total of £200,000 for the fund and actively helped hundreds in the local community, with a particular focus on supporting young people.

Derek Thornhill is the Assistant Provincial Grand Master for the Accrington and Blackburn districts as well as chairman of the community fund.

He said: “The money is raised from within the lodges, and they donate it to the community fund. Blackburn district was quite pioneering, we started raising money for the community about nine years ago but it became more focused after the Duke of Kent’s address.”

District charity steward David Lightbown said: “Every year we normally donate to around 22 charities and causes, and primarily we try to support youngsters.”

Mr Thornhill added: “There’s a very common misconception that the Freemasons are all about secrecy which is just not the case.

“The Masons donate the largest amount of money to good causes after the Lottery. It’s a huge part of what we do.”

Some of the ELMC’s latest project are an £8,000 grant to Thwaites Empire Theatre Trust in Blackburn, to fund a children’s panto, and a £9,000 grant for the Rossendale Theatre Workshop to fund a dedicated theatre activities week.

Other beneficiaries from the past 18 months include: an £6,500 new sensory garden for Newfield Special School in Blackburn; a Rossendale volunteer group which transports sick children to and from hospital; a £750 grant for Clayton Park Rangers Junior Football Club; £500 to East Lancs Scout Council; £1,000 to support a CRY (cardiac risk in the young) screening in Blackburn and Darwen; a £2,000 boost for Burnley and District Talking Newspaper for the Blind; £500 to Colne First Aid Services; £5,000 for a new play area at Hargreaves House respite centre in Oswaldtwistle.