A trio of West Cumbrian Freemasons’ Craft Lodges have donated £1,300 to the Great North Air Ambulance Service.

Alnefoot Lodge 9232, of Maryport, and John Dalton Lodge 7577 and Skiddaw Lodge 1002, both of Cockermouth, raised money with collections from members and visitors on special occasions.

Worshipful Master Andy Dresser, of Alnefoot Lodge, and Worshipful Master Bob Reeves, of Skiddaw Lodge, raised money on the evening of their installations as the masters of their respective lodges.

John Dalton Lodge raised money when Worshipful brother Donald Holme was presented with a certificate for 50 years in masonry.

The lodges decided to support the ambulance service because a number of members have benefited from it and it is a service they felt passionate about as a result.

The Masonic Province of Cumberland and Westmorland intend to continue supporting the service and have called for other people in the area to do the same.

The Great North Air Ambulance Service is entirely funded by donations, with each helicopter mission costing several thousands of pounds.

For more information about the service, which is accepting volunteer applications, call 01325 487 263.