HELENSBURGH Freemasons recently donated their share of the money raised at their Sportsmans dinner to help improve the life of a local tot.

One of the members, Michael Board, told the group about Cleo Rose Alderton, whose story featured on the Advertiser's website on Friday.

When they looked into it, members of the Lodge St George agreed to follow in the footsteps of other organisations which have raised money for the youngster, who has been diagnosed with the rare condition Phelan McDermid Syndrome.

Master of Lodge St George Helensburgh Freemasons, Alexander Hyslop, said: "We got our £600 from our annual dinner, I then got the other masonic orders involved – the Royal Arch Chapter then the ladies from the Order of the Eastern Star.

"The money then rolled in from regular donations – £5 here, £10 there – came from everywhere.

"I then organised a ceilidh dance. Totalled up we had £1,900.00 raised – it was fantastic."

On Sunday the group presented the cheque to Cleo and her family.

Mr Hyslop added: "We were delighted to hand the cash over to Cleo Rose knowing that that small amount was going to make a massive difference to her life .

"We also received donations from the Co-op supermarket in Helensburgh, from Gordons the chemist, and from Mrs Margeret Kirkpatrick, who donated a fantastic hand-made Scottish blanket.

"We sold all of the items at an auction, along with other donations of spirits all given by members and friends."

The Lodge St George Helensburgh and their sister orders are always willing to help out charities and are already looking for another local charity to help next year.