Freemasons in Durham have contributed to a £60,000 grant which will support victims of the devastating earthquake in Syria and Turkey - which has so far claimed more than 19,000 lives.
The donation comes from the Masonic Charitable Foundation and will go to the British Red Cross, UNICEF and the UN High Commission on Refugees - who are leading the relief effort on the ground. This comes after the earthquake which hit 7.8 on the Richter scale.
The quake devastated large areas of south west Turkey and northern Syria. As is stands, many survivors are living in dire conditions, sleeping in the open in sub-zero temperatures where snow is falling.
Read more: How you can help the Turkey and Syria appeals after earthquakes
Thousands of homes have been destroyed, as have roads and hospitals - complicating the relief effort.
Luke Tredget, head of emergencies from the British Red Cross, said: "We’re very grateful for this generous grant which will allow us to provide immediate emergency relief to people who are in desperate need. This disaster has devastated vast areas of both countries and left millions of people in urgent need of help."
John Paul Thompson from Durham Freemasons, said: "I’m very pleased we’ve been able to help the Red Cross, UNICEF and the UNHCR with their relief effort following this terrible earthquake. Many thousands of people are in very urgent need of assistance and I’m proud that Freemasons are providing essential support to charities on the ground working with survivors."
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