Two Masonic lodges based in Letchworth have donated a combined £7,560 to Macmillan Cancer Support.

Letchworth Garden City Lodge No 5109 gave £5,000 raised by a raffle and auction, while Dacre Masonic Lodge No 2086 donated £2,560, amassed during Tony Walker’s year-long mastership.

Tony chose to support Macmillan because of the support given to close friend Emma Bendell, who died from cancer at an early age after being cared for by Macmillan nurses at Stoke Mandeville Hospital in Aylesbury.

He said: “The care given was outstanding in every respect, both in the time leading up to her death and afterwards to her surviving partner, Nathan.

“This experience led to the choice of this very worthwhile charity that relies on donations to continue their very caring work.”

Tony thanked the brethren of Dacre Lodge for their support, particularly charity steward Kieran Doyle and treasurer Graham Rouse.

Dacre Lodge is based at The Cloisters in Barrington Road, as is Letchworth Garden City Lodge No 5109 – whose £5,000 donation was presented by James Geraghty.

He said: “This was a fantastic weekend and a superb sum of money to be able to raise for well-deserving and hardworking Macmillan Cancer Support, who without donations would be unable to provide the necessary support to those who really need it.

“I personally would like to thank all those who supported this and made it a success.”

Macmillan Cancer Support’s Georgia Clark said: “This is a fantastic amount of money raised, which will help people affected by cancer in the local community.

“For example, the donation could fund a Macmillan nurse for just over a month, helping people living with cancer and their families receive essential medical, practical and emotional support – or it could help run an information and support centre for a month, like the one at the Lister Hospital.

“At Macmillan, we believe that no one should face cancer alone. When you need someone to turn to, we’re here, right from the moment you’re diagnosed.”

If you’d like to get involved in supporting Macmillan, contact Georgia at gclark@macmillan.org.uk or on 07790 010656, or call the fundraising support centre on 0300 1000 20.