A total of 25 Freemasons from 12 Mansfield lodges raised £3,357 for Bluebell Wood Children’s Hospice, North Anston.

They swam up to 20 lengths each in a fundraising swimathon at Water Meadows Swimming and Fitness Complex.

The event helped to raise funds for the charity that cares for children and young adults with life-shortening and life-threatening conditions in Mansfield and North Nottinghamshire, as well as North Derbyshire, South Yorkshire and parts of North Lincolnshire.

Freemason and swimathon participant Ken Purslow said: “Each year several charities are placed before the committee for discussion, before deciding which we should help. There was overwhelming support for Bluebell Wood this year.

“Everyone who took part in the swimathon thoroughly enjoyed it. It was a family occasion, good healthy exercise and the chance to raise money for those less fortunate than ourselves.”

Melanie Rose, community fundraiser at Bluebell Wood, said: “As a charity that cares for children and young adults in Mansfield and across the region, both in their own homes and at our hospice, every penny raised makes a huge difference.

“We thank the Mansfield Lodges for helping our families to make more special memories together.”

To find out how you can help Bluebell Wood and the 250 children and young adults they care for each year, visit www.bluebellwood.org

Pictured are Mansfield Freemasons presenting a cheque to Melanie Rose and nine-year-old Mollie Bates.