A charity aimed at helping the homeless in Sidmouth has received a £1,000 donation.

The Sidmouth Masonic Lodge of Perseverance has made a £1,000 donation to Gateway Homelessness Action Group to support the charity in its work against homelessness.

The masons presented a cheque for £1,000 to Gateway chairman Jeff Millar alongside clients Neil Cowling and Gary Sykes.

The group has been around for 205 years and raised all of the money internally via the members.

Every year, they dedicate money to local causes and the group was impressed with Gateway’s work in helping rough sleepers in Sidmouth and assisting them in getting off the streets.

The charity was formed after the death of a homeless person and is committed to raising awareness of the levels of homelessness in Sidmouth.

With the charity’s help, Gary was recently able to find permanent accommodation, putting an end to a long period of street homelessness.