FREEMASONS have donated £1,000 to the West of England MS Therapy Centre in Bradley Stoke.

Members of the Gloucester Masonic charity Action presented the money to Terri McDonald, head of fundraising at the centre in Wheatfield Drive.

Charity steward Mike Newcombe, director of ceremonies Bill Bishop, secretary Brian Herbert, master Norman Weeks and Peter Acton from the local Lodge of St Christopher 9095 visited the centre to find out how it provides treatment and therapy for people with multiple sclerosis (MS).

Ms McDonald said: "We certainly are in need of support, especially in our physiotherapy department. A person with MS can delay the symptoms and other neurological conditions by having regular physiotherapy exercise classes.

"If a muscle is not used for long periods, it will lose strength and may become painful.

"These difficulties cannot always be avoided completely. However, by finding the right exercises, with the assistance of our qualified physiotherapists in neurology, the person with MS can remain active and lead an independent life for longer."

The centre receives no Government or NHS funding and relies solely on donations from trusts, companies, volunteers and the community.