After losing more than £1,500 last year when their tour operator let them down just before a European tour, Helston School Jazz Orchestra has been given a financial boost by the Freemasons of Helston.

The True and Faithful Royal Arch Chapter have presented HSJO with a cheque for £500, which musical director Clive King says will enable the band to continue travelling to perform at festivals and competitions throughout Cornwall and beyond.

Mr King was presented with a cheque by the Lodge’s Geoff Taylor and Jeremy Squibb, who said: “Following our donation to Parc Eglos School last year to help them refurbish their swimming pool, we were keen to help the older pupils in Helston.

“Many of our members have children or grandchildren who have benefitted greatly from playing with HSJO, and the community as a whole take huge pride with their achievements. We hope this donation can enable them to achieve even greater future success.”

Mr King said it was with “devastation” that the band learned its tour operator had gone bankrupt last year.

He added: “The band relies on concert revenue and donations in order to operate, and a loss on this scale has prevented us from being able to compete this year at a National level, where previously we have been overall winners.

“We are extremely grateful to the Lodge and indeed our sponsors, Ocean Mini Falmouth, for the support they have shown.”

In 2014 Cornish Freemasons donated over £50,000 to local charities.

UPDATE

Helston School Jazz Orchestra's concert this Friday has been cancelled due to illness. The band will try to reschedule as soon as possible and ask fans to keep an eye on their Facebook page for further updates.