Despite the difficulty caused by Covid, one group has made every effort to contribute to community projects – raising more than £6,000 for all to benefit from.

After an appeal raised the impressive amount of vital funds, the Lodges of the East Lakes Freemasons nominated three charities to each benefit from a £2,000 grant.

And Chairman Glyn Titterington was thrilled to recently present cheques to the Beep Fund Trust, Alston Recreation Ground Trust and Eden Valley Friends of Dementia in a socially-distanced setting.

Dr Theo Weston MBE set up the Beep Fund in April 1994, developing a key service of Immediate Response Vehicles.

A total of 15 doctors, whose cars are equipped with necessary emergency equipment, now cover most of Cumbria, from Kendal to the Scottish Border.

And with every penny raised or donated going towards running the vehicles, paying for equipment and covering training costs, the group couldn't be more grateful for the £2,000 donation from East Lakes Freemasons.

The Alston Recreation Ground Trust, which owns and manages the five-acre Fairhill site, was also thrilled to receive a helping hand, with the funds going towards making the community space even more enjoyable for all.

The £2,000 grant was presented to the trust's Chairwoman, Lissie Sharp, and a small number of the trustees by Mr Titterington.

Ms Sharp was delighted, and explained that with fundraising being so limited during the pandemic, the group's support will be "unbelievably helpful" in taking forward essential maintenance, as well as the plan to create a BMX bike track and community orchard.

Mr Titterington presented Eden Valley Friends of Dementia with the final £2,000 cheque, handing the grant to one of the group's trustees, Nigel Faulkner.

The charity became an official Dementia UK fundraising group in February 2019, when Culgaith woman Fran Flower was inspired to provide specialist dementia support to Cumbrian families.

While caring for her husband, John, near the end of his life, Ms Flower found Dementia UK’s Admiral Nurse Helpline invaluable, and wished to see everyone in the county receive the same priceless help.

Dementia UK aims to ensure that direct expert specialist nursing support is provided to families or individuals affected by dementia. It does this largely through the provision of Admiral Nurses – similar to MacMillan nurses.

The nurses offer support either at home or through a dedicated helpline, and as there are no Admiral Nurses in Cumbria, the group – run by volunteers – aims to raise awareness and part-fund an Admiral Nurse in the Eden Valley for an initial two year period.

This is a pilot project for the county and, if successful, hopefully more Admiral Nurses will be funded throughout Cumbria.