THE Freemasons and Royal British Legion recently joined forces to raise close to £1,000 for charity.
The two groups were 'overjoyed' with the success of their first joint fundraising venture held on August 9 in the Freemasons' Hall, Okehampton.
The event saw 120 people turn up for a specially cooked full-English breakfast, raising a total of £920.
All the ingredients were donated by local businesses, including Waitrose, Somerfield, Lidl, Endacott Bakers, Martin's Butchers, Macro in Exeter, Dunn's Dairy in Exbourne and the Fox and Hounds in Bridestowe.
In addition to the breakfast cooked by Lance Corporal Gareth Jones of the Royal Logistic Corps and served by RAF Corporal Simon Read, a raffle was held with a selection of prizes provided by Ashbury Golf Club, LandRover 4U, Brown's Chocolates, Spangles Hairdressers and D&S Stores.
The money raised will be divided evenly between the legion's Poppy Appeal and local charities.
Okehampton Freemason Kevin Jones was particularly pleased with the outcome of this first attempt at raising money for both organisations.
He said: 'Not a bad day's work,' adding that this was a good way of raising the public profile of the men and women in the Armed Forces.
Both his son Gareth and Simon Read are due to go to Afghanistan in the next few months.