Three non-profit organisations have each been presented with $2,000 in donations from the charitable wing of the Freemasons.

Keith Battersbee, the president of the Freemasons Fund for Bermuda, presented a cheque to Scars, the Duke of Edinburgh Awards, and It Takes a Village on Tuesday.

He said: “We know that financing is always a challenge and we hope that this goes, in some small way, to help.”

Debi Ray-Rivers, the head of Scars, thanked the Freemasons Fund for Bermuda for its “very generous financial gift”.

She said: “Without the help of our donors, we wouldn’t be able to continue this work of teaching adults in our community how to protect the precious children of this country.”

Ms Ray-Rivers added: “Children become adults — we want them to be safe and protected throughout their childhood.

“We wouldn’t be able to provide our awareness initiatives to keep this message in the hearts and minds of our people because, sadly, the sexual violation of children has not gone away.”

Fiona Holmes, the development director for the Duke of Edinburgh Awards, also thanked the group.

She added: “Without you, we would not be able to continue offering our transformational programmes, which are free of charge, to 14 to 24-year-olds across the island.

“Your investment in the award is creating real change. We’re developing future leaders and innovators who are already giving back thousands of hours to Bermuda’s non-profits through their dedication to service, skill development and physical recreation and team adventures.”

Fiona Dill, of It Takes a Village, said that the donation would help the new charity make a sizeable difference for impoverished families.

She added: “Although you said this is a small donation, this makes a big difference to us and we are so grateful.”

The Freemasons Fund For Bermuda has donated more than $400,000 to the island’s charities since its creation in 1981.

Members raise funds through donations from lodge members or by arranging social functions.

Donations are not made to religious or political bodies, or any person or institution associated with the Freemasons.