Each branch raised money to be put towards a donation of $2,000 to the New South Wales Cancer Council.

Lodge Inverell registrar Wayne Jones said the donation was made in memory of Tom Blackburn, a long-standing Mason who sadly passed away after his own cancer battle.

“After his passing we started a regular cancer appeal to raise money for the Cancer Council,” he said.

The presentation was made on Saturday afternoon with local Cancer Council representative Jodi Uebergang accepting the donation.

“It was great to have a local lady Jodi in her Relay for Life shirt accepting the donation. She was very happy,” Mr Jones said.

Freemasonry has been conducting different fundraisers throughout the region since 1878 for local people in need.

Mr Jones said the Masons recently assisted a local foster carer whose daughter needed major dental work.

Through the Freemason organisation, they were able to donate $12,000 to assist the family.

“About seven years ago we got sponsorship for a local girl who was adopted and lived round Ashford.

“She wanted to go to university but her family could not afford it so we made a submission through Masonic Care and they sponsored her through uni,” he said.

Mr Jones said Masons throughout the region were dedicated to assisting their local communities.