Hospice services in East Kent received an early Christmas present on Thursday with the award of £19,400 by The Freemasons Grand Charity, an organisation that distributes money raised by Freemasons and their families to support people in need.

The grants will help Demelza House Children’s Hospice, Heart of Kent Hospice, Lions Hospice, and the Pilgrims Hospices in Canterbury, Thanet and Ashford to continue providing free physical, emotional, social and spiritual care to patients and their families.

The Freemasons Grand Charity has been making regular donations to Hospices since 1984.

Provincial Grand Master Michael Robin Bailey said: “Hospices play a vital role in helping the individuals and families affected by terminal and life limiting illnesses.

“I am delighted that the grants from the charity will, in addition to funds raised by local Masons, help to run these excellent local services that rely on voluntary and charitable support to fund their work.”

Demelza House received £2,780, the Heart of Kent and Lions Hospices received £2,743 each, £3,324 was presented to the Pilgrims Hospice in Canterbury, £3,614 to Thanet and £4,196 to Ashford.

Freemasons in East Kent have set themselves a target to raise £3 million between now and the year 2014, for Masonic and non-Masonic good causes.