A Masonic group has donated £500 on behalf of the Bracknell lodge to a charity which helps young people.

Worshipful master Steve Simister, from the Bracknell Lodge, handed over a cheque to representatives of Bracknell Youthline on Saturday January 18.

He said: “My daughter and some of her friends have used Bracknell Youthline and it helped. It doesn’t get much support so we were glad to help.

Collette Reynolds, the practice manager of Youthline – which is based at the Coopers Hill Youth and Community Centre, Crowthorne Road North – said: “We were really pleased and it’s nice for people to support us, especially when they are local.

“The lodge nominated us themselves and it will help us continue to do what we do.

“Looking forward into next year it is nice that we have got some funding coming in already.” The charity provides a free, confidential counselling service for young people attending secondary school, and young adults up to the age of 25.

It offers counselling sessions after school and in the evenings from Monday to Friday, and on Saturday mornings.

As well as Coopers Hill, Youthline also operates from Brakenhale School, Garth Hill College, and Easthampstead Park Community School and St George’s School in Ascot.