Preston’s Freemasons have helped to raise £500,000 for Ukrainian refugees and those displaced and still inside Ukraine.
Members of the West Lancashire Freemasons, alongside other Provinces in England and Wales, have raised the money to pass on to charities working in Ukraine and those helping refugees in neighbouring countries and the UK.
The money was raised in less than three weeks and the total continues to grow.
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The war in Ukraine has created by far the largest refugee crisis in Europe since the Second World War, and more people are fleeing Ukraine for countries to the west every day.
The chosen charities, each of which will receive £100,000, are:
The Freemasons contributed to the grant through the Masonic Charitable Foundation, which is funded by Freemasons, their families and friends, from across England and Wales.
David Parker, publicity officer at Preston Freemasons, said: “Freemasons have an outstanding record helping those in need in this country and around the world, but this huge sum to support Ukrainian refugees was raised in record time.
“I’m very proud that West Lancashire Freemasons have been able to play such an important part in this essential work.”
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