CARE home and hospice residents across Reading and Newbury have received tablets from Freemasons in Berkshire.

The masons hope the tablets will help residents to stay in touch with their loved ones during the coronavirus pandemic.

In Reading, tablets were given to Abbeyfield House and River View Home and deliveries were made to Willow Edge Care Home in Newbury and Walnut Close Care Home in Thatcham.

READ ALSO: Newbury Dogs Trust searching for new dog owners.

The donations were coordinated through a new Covid-19 Response Group, which was formed by the United Grand Lodge of England (UGLE) as an emergency structure in response to Covid-19.

The masons said its purpose is to work together to deliver life-changing initiatives – on a national scale – to those in need.

More than 1,000 tablets have been given away throughout England and Wales under this initiative.

Anthony Howlett-Bolton the leader of Freemasons in Berkshire said: “By giving these tablets to vulnerable patients in hospices and care homes I hope it can help bring some comfort to them and their families at this most difficult of times.

READ ALSO: 'Drive-in cinema' near Reading to set up film nights.

"Working in our local communities and charitable giving are some of our fundamental values.

"All of the donated devices can be used by the care homes and hospices for whatever they wish after this current pandemic is over.”