THE LIVES of two children and a teenager have been made a little bit easier thanks to a £1,500 donation from the Freemasons.

Ian French, the outgoing master at Westcombe Park Lodge which meets in Dartford and Bromley, gave the money he raised during his year as master.

It was given to Chantelle Devereaux, manager of the Second Chance charity shop in Bexley Road, Northumberland Heath.

In addition to their work in the shop, which raises cash for disadvantaged or abused children, Miss Devereaux, 52, and her volunteers also work with local families, raising cash to buy much needed equipment for sick or disabled children and young people, or helping to provide respite holidays.

They hold fundraising events and last year raised £11,500 which was spent helping local families.

The lodge money will be divided equally between three young people.

Scarlett Saunders, three from Northumberland Heath has multiple disabilities; Jamie Williams, four, from Erith has curvature of the spine and spends his time in a metal brace, and Kirsty George, 18, from Erith whose mother died two years ago from bowel cancer.

Her brother died in a car crash and now she has serious health probems.