An £18,000 cheque donated to Richard House Children’s Hospice has pushed the amount raised by the Borough of Newham Lodge to over £250,000.

The Freemasons Lodge have been supporting the Beckton hospice for around 20 years with regular bucket collections by members at the tube stations in Central London.

Brian Glover, speaking on behalf of the Lodge, said:” It feels superb to have raised over £250,000. We never would have dreamed we would be able to raise that much money.

“We have a real affinity with the hospice and we do it because we really believe in the hospice.

“We’re all family people with children, and you never know what’s round the corner in life, so something like a children’s hospice is so important.”

One member of the Lodge is Richard House volunteer van driver Chris, who has volunteered at the hospice for over 15 years.

Joel Voysey, director of income generation at the hospice, said: “To have raised over £250,000 for the hospice is an absolute phenomenal effort.

“The dedication and commitment the Lodge members have shown to the hospice has made such a difference to so many families over the years.

“We are extremely thankful for their ongoing support.”