The island’s Irish Freemasons and a Catholic church donated $1,100 to the Multiple Sclerosis Society of Bermuda last month.

Wendell “Shine” Hayward, a member of the Irish Freemasons, said lodge members raised $600 for the charity through a St Patrick’s Day brunch and raffle at the Henry VIII restaurant.

St Patrick’s Catholic Church in Smith’s donated $500 to the organisation, which supports people living with MS and their families.

Mr Hayward, who was diagnosed with the condition years ago, said the MS Society is “always his go-to charity”.

“Whenever I have the opportunity to do something for charity, I choose the MS Society,” he added.

Mr Hayward explained: “Being that we are Irish Freemasons and that St Patrick is the patron saint of Ireland, we decided to donate the funds on St Patrick’s Day.”

Carolyn Armstrong, president of the MS Society, was thankful for the donation and said the organisation will use the funds to help its members “with the cost of medication, physiotherapy and mental health”.

• To learn more about the MS Society of Bermuda, visitmssociety.bm