Last night, members of the Beeleigh Abbey Masonic Lodge presented cheques to four Maldon-based charities, along with the Essex branch of the Royal Life Saving Society.

The Joseph Henry Unwin Sick Poor Fund was set up when John Henry Unwin, a clerk at the Maldon Iron Works, died in 1919 and left money to establish a charity. It helps those in need of medical provisions, holidays, and other aids. The charity received £1000 from the Lodge.

Mark Heard, Chairman of the charity, said: "We are working with the Plume Academy to create a safe place to help students who are suffering from mental health issues."

"This donation will make that happen."

£500 was donated to the Gepp Charity, created when successful ironmonger Arthur Gepp died in 1950, leaving an estate of £14,103. Some of the money was used "for the erection of two or more homes for the aged in poor circumstances". The donation will be used for general maintenance of the homes.

Similarly, the Price Charity Scheme was established after Maldon GP H.J. Price died in 1932 and left money for two bungalows to be constructed in Mill Road, Maldon. Since 1958, the scheme has provided two alms houses for people "not less than 65 years of age who have lived in the Maldon area for not less than 10 years". The £500 donation will go towards their upkeep.

The Chelmer Blackwater Reserve Community Interest Company, which also received £500, is undertaking a 'major' programme to restore the 'unique wildlife habitat' close to Maldon's Tesco Extra store.

Left: The 5.5-acre Chelmer Blackwater Reserve. Right: Colin Corby and Johnathan Wood

Jonathan Wood, secretary, said: "We have lots of plans to develop the site as a nature reserve.

"The Plume Academy also want to use it for geography and science studies."

Finally, the Essex branch of the Royal Lifesaving Society (RLSS) received £500.

Established in 1891 as the Lifesaving Society, the organisation holds an open water lifeguarding event every summer, providing the opportunity to learn how to save lives.

Peter Richardson, Secretary at the Lodge, told the room about his personal lifesaving experience, when he saved a 10-year-old girl from drowning when he was just 16, in 1971.

Left: Peter Richardson's 'honorary testimonial on parchment'. Right: Peter speaks about his lifesaving experience

For his bravery, Peter was awarded an 'honorary testimonial on parchment' by Sir Edward Howard, Lord Mayor of London, on behalf of the Royal Humane Society.

He said: "I'm very proud of it, and it shows that even at that age, with a little bit of training, you can save a life."

"This is evidence of the fact what the RLSS does works."

Peter, aged 16, receiving his award from Sir Edward Howard, Lord Mayor of London.