Basingstoke's Elvetham Masonic Lodge has donated £1,500 to Basingstoke and District Young Carers, a charity supporting underage providers of chronic familial care.

Peter Foster, the charity steward of Elvetham Lodge, gave the cheque at the Sherfield on Loddon fete.

A young carer is someone under 18 providing regular physical and emotional assistance to a family member facing health issues—from diseases and disabilities to addiction.

Nationwide, at least 700,000 young people find themselves burdened with such responsibilities.

Locally, one in five youngsters devote their time to chores like cleaning, cooking, laundry, medical upkeep, and mobility aid.

They provide emotional support, care for younger siblings, and manage tasks such as bill paying and hospital visits.

Their involvement often hampers their socialisation due to time dedicated to familial obligations.

Basingstoke and District Young Carers offer facilities enabling these young carers to socialise with peers encountering similar situations.

Notable among their initiatives is a social club held at the Winklebury Youth Project, adjacent to the Hampshire FA.

The club hosts different sessions catering to various age groups.

Jade Withers and Holly Fowkes support the Youth Team Leader, Colette Bibby who said: "We are grateful to Elvetham Masonic Lodge for this donation of £1,500 as it will provide an invaluable injection of funds for subsidising our summer activities for all age groups.

"It will help cover the cost of transport for those Young Carers who do not have the means to get to, or from, the centre so that they can attend the Respite Clubs and be part of the close-knit team of Young Carers."