CORKS were popping at a champagne breakfast held by a group of freemasons, adding £600 to the Millbrook Appeal’s coffers.

Men from Severn Lodge, Stourport, and their wives, staged the event using six borrowed tents and gave 80 guests a full English breakfast at the Far Forest home of member, Peter Ray.

Guests volunteered prizes for a fund-raising raffle and auctions of a picnic hamper and champagne raised £175 alone.

David Wase, chairman of the League of Friends, was presented with cheques by Severn Lodge’s Worshipful Master, Fred Lee, and John McGann, representing Stourport and Kidderminster’s Associated Masonic Lodges group.

Alan Thompson, a member of Severn Lodge, said: “Some people are not aware that freemasons often dedicate their charity funding activities towards non-masonic causes and the Millbrook Appeal, among deserving beneficiaries locally, obviously ranks very highly.”