AROUND 30 tired and weary, but very happy, Freemasons and their wives arrived at Wigan & Leigh Hospice in Hindley where they presented a £2,300 cheque to Hospice chairman Gordon Valentine.

The group was led by Alf Short who is visiting 14 hospices throughout the region supported every day by Freemasons from each area.

The trek took in hospices en route from Ulverston to St Helens and Alf's aim for the 250 miles was to start and finish each day at a different hospice.

Alan Baron, Director of Corporate Services for the Hospice said: "We were delighted to welcome the walkers to the hospice. This charity event will hopefully raise many thousands of pounds for hospices throughout the region and is a tribute to the supportive work of the Freemasons and their generosity in supporting the work of the Hospice movement."