The Freemasons’ Grand Charity was one of the first organisations to issue an immediate £25,000 to the British Red Cross Pakistan Flood Appeal – one of the largest initial pledges the Red Cross received within the first 24 hours of opening the appeal.

Tens of thousands of people were stranded and cut off by flood waters and an estimated 1,500 people have been killed, although this number is set to rise.

Aid agencies reported that entire villages were washed away, leaving tens of thousands homeless. At least three million people have been affected in the worst floods to hit the region for 80 years.

These funds will help to provide hygiene kits and sanitation facilities to stem the spread of preventable diseases and safe drinking water for flood-affected families.