A local charity has been left ‘shocked’ at a generous donation from a group of Cambridge Free Mason Lodges.

The Wisbech & District Talking Newspaper received a donation of £1,000 from the Cambridge group, which was raised by 26 Masons from 10 different Lodges presenting the classic pantomime, ‘Jack in the Beanstalk.’

The show was enjoyed by over 300 people over two days in January this year, and raised £3,000 which was split between the Wisbech & District Cycling Club, the Arthur Rank Hospice Charity and the Province of Cambridgeshire Masonic Building Fund.

Secretary and Press Officer of the Talking Newspaper, Isobel Shippey, was delighted to receive such a large donation.

She said: “We were completely shocked, but thrilled, to receive the news that we were to be the beneficiary of such a large donation.

“It all came about after one of our committee members, John Richmond, had a chance conversation at last year’s Rose Fair with one of the Wisbech Masons.

“I believe they wanted one of the charities to benefit from the pantomime to be outside the immediate Cambridge area, so John wrote an outline of the work we did, submitted it for consideration and we were lucky enough to be chosen.

“We are only a small local charity and our only income is via fundraising, legacies and donations, we receive no government funding at all.

“Losing your sight can be very isolating and talking newspapers, all over the country, run by volunteers, help alleviate that feeling of isolation for blind and partially sighted people, by keeping them up to date on what is going on in their community.”

The Talking Newspaper’s next fundraising event will be a quiz held at The Conservative Club, Alexandra Road, Wisbech on Friday May 13 at 7.30pm.

It is £6 per person (payable on the door), with a maximum of six people per team and the price includes a fish and chip or sausage and chip supper. There will be a bar open for drinks and a raffle will also take place.

If you are interested in attending, please contact Ann on 01945 583916 to place your supper order.