Four Manx charities have been awarded £50,000 between them by the Masons .

The cheques were presented at a sausage and mash dinner and dance party at the Freemasons Hall, in Douglas.

The £50,000 award was part of a £3 million donation made by the Masonic Charitable Foundation to celebrate the Grand Lodge of England’s 300th anniversary.

Provincial grand master Keith Dalrymple said: ’These awards to a range of local charities demonstrate our desire for Freemasons to be at the heart of island life.

’The Masonic Charitable Foundation receives money donated only by Masons and we are delighted that our four nominated charities will benefit.’

Some 1,509 votes were cast in a public vote in July to decide how much of the £50,000 each charity would receive.

Topping the poll was the Diana Princess of Wales Care at Home Trust, which received £25,000.

Their services provide palliative hospice care for people at home.

In addition, Special Olympics, Isle of Man, received £4,000; Ardwhallen Jubilee Trust were awarded £6,000; St John Ambulance First Responders were presented with £15,000.

Ron Spencer of the Diana Princess of Wales Care at Home Trust, said: ’We will be able to recruit another full time or two part-time qualified nurses thanks to this amazing donation.’

St John Ambulance first responders are well known at sporting events and other gatherings. They also help the Ambulance Service by responding to emergency calls when needed.

Director of St John Ambulance Services Gerry Jones said: ’We are enhancing and upgrading our kit all the time and this donation will allow us to buy in a further six sets.’

The Special Olympics Isle of Man helps adults and children with intellectual disabilities through sport. The local group was founded in 1985.

National director of the Special Olympics Isle of Man Beryl Wooldridge said that the £4,000 they were awarded will go towards sending a team to Gibraltar for the next Special Olympics in November.

’It’s a little bit of a Godsend,’ she said. ’We receive no grants and have to raise every pound we spend.’

Stephanie Ward, Becky Bateson-Lewis, and Jamie Cowin, all 19, are doing a two-year apprenticeship as assistant instructors, volunteer programme, at the Ardwhallen Jubilee Trust.

The cost of that course will be partly covered by the trust’s £6,000 award.

Head of the Ardwhallan centre, Paul Melling, said: ’We receive 40% funding from the Government and the rest has to be found from donations.’