MEGAN Baker House at Moreton Eye near Leominster, is seen as a 'centre of excellence' in conductive education for children and adults with neurological disorders.

The charity is in its final year of a three-year project to 'reach out' - taking its services into schools and community centres for an ever growing number of beneficiaries.

Lottery funded project REACH OUT has to date delivered conductive education sessions into eleven schools for 62 children in Herefordshire, Worcestershire and Gloucestershire.

Megan Baker House has over recent years, been supported with donations from Herefordshire Freemasons, particularly from members of Royal Edward Lodge in Leominster. Now, Paul Beaumont, Worshipful Master of Saint Peter's Lodge in Bromyard, has initiated further support with a donation of £750 towards activities such as the REACH OUT project.

Paul and his wife Elizabeth were made aware of the "deserving nature of this local charity", now in its second decade of activity, when working with Megan Baker House Chief Executive, Lee Gough, at various fund raising events. Paul, and Freemasons generally, appreciate that the charity does not receive statutory funding and does not charge for its services, and therefore needs as much support as possible. Richard James, charity steward in Saint Peter's Lodge, stated that "local Freemasons will hopefully continue to assist Megan Baker House in its vital and fundamental role within the wider community."

Zoe White, office manager at Megan Baker House, emphasised that such support was essential to maintain the services of the charity "which provided an important pathway towards maximum physical independence of the individuals concerned."