CASH donations totalling almost £24,000 were given to Bolton charities and good causes at the second Giving Evening held by Bolton and Farnworth Freemasons.

The event, at the Masonic Hall in Bolton, was attended by more than 180 charity representatives, freemasons and friends.

A total of £3,550 was donated to Birtenshaw Hall children's charity and wheelchair-bound Aaron Halleron, a young person with severe disabilities cared for at the charity's school, paid his own special thanks, with the aid of his electronic voice box, for the donation.

Other organisations receiving money included Bolton Hospice, Derian House, Bolton Self Harm Group, YMCA Bolton and Bolton Destitute Animal Shelter.