Masons have donated £4,000 to the Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital (RNOH), which will be used to buy specialist camera equipment for those with serious spinal injuries.

The money, which was pledged by the Metropolitan Masonic Charity, will give those with such injuries the opportunity to lead a “fulfilled life” by taking up a hobby.

The Stanmore-based hospital encourages patients to embrace such activities where possible and its staff explained how the grateful donation will be put to great use.

Emma Linley, lead clinical occupational therapist at the Spinal Injury Unit at the RNOH, said: “Photography is a creative, innovative and rewarding pastime for patients.

“As with most technical facilities for those with limited mobility, the specialised and modified photography equipment is very expensive.

“The £4,000 grant from London Masons has allowed the hospital to purchase specialised cameras, camera supports and control mechanisms that can be used by those with very limited ways of operating a camera. The controls allow camera operation by mouth and tongue.”

The grant is the latest donation to be made on behalf of the charity, following on from a £375,000 pledge to the London Fire Brigade, which forms part of a £2.5 million project.

Tony Shields, Metropolitan Grand Lodge charity steward, said it was “delighted” to support another “worthwhile cause”.