Freemasons in Cheshire have donated £1 million over the course of 2020 to assist with the local pandemic response, including the Sandbach lodge's support for a primary school.

Saxon Crosses Lodge, based on The Commons, have provided donations to Abbey Hulton Primary School in Staffordshire.

The donations comprised of funding to the school foodbank to provide 12 bags of food for several families of four, a donation to purchase 6 Kindle Fire tablets to enable the children to complete schoolwork at home and then a further donation to purchase another 10 Kindle Fire tablets.

The Cheshire Freemasons say the donations demonstrate the lodge's willingness to support communities further afield during a difficult time.

Local Freemason Bro Meurig Williams is the husband of the school's principal, Linda Williams, and brought the idea to the Sandbach lodge who backed the idea to support the students.

Nationally, the Freemasons donated 300,000 meals and 38 tonnes of food to homeless people, women's refuges and vulnerable people, supporting more than 120,000 people in total. Moreover, £560,000 was donated to provide meals and help numerous foodbanks.

Dr David Staples, chief executive of the United Grand Lodge of England (UGLE), said: "No one in this day and age should have to worry where their next meal is coming from. We are so glad that we were able to provide thousands of families across the UK with a hot meal or food donations to help get them through this current crisis.

"Freemasons have achieved all of this in just a few months and have also given their time to produce and deliver food to the vulnerable."

The UGLE is also encouraging its members to roll up their sleeves and volunteer to help vaccinate the population.

"More than 18.5 million hours of volunteer work were undertaken by Freemasons. Now it is crucial that we help in every way we can to protect the population. If the NHS needs volunteers, then we are happy to emphasise the importance of this to our members," said Dr Staples.

He continued: "Our response to the Pandemic shows what Freemasonry is all about; supporting those in need, giving back to our communities and volunteering where it can make a real difference.

"Freemasons have been doing this for over 300 years and I am proud of the time and commitment that our members have given to support the nation in its fight against Covid-19."