A five figure donation to the Journalists’ Charity has been made by the Society of Editors.

Southern Daily Echo editor in chief Ian Murray was on hand to present a cheque for £20,000 during a reception at the House of Lords.

The donation includes monies donated at events during Ian’s year as President of the Society, including the Annual Conference and Gala Dinner.

Ian presented the cheque with his successor Doug Wills, managing editor at the Evening Standard and Independent newspapers, to Lord Black of Brentwood, executive director of the Telegraph Media Group, representing the charity.

Southern Daily Echo editor Ian Murray (right) presents the cheque to Lord Black of Brentwood (left) with Evening Standard managing editor Doug Wills

A donation of £10,000 was also received from the Gannett Foundation, run by the ultimate parent company of the Southern Daily Echo, which contributed to a total of £80,000 raised on the night.

The charity provides emergency grants to journalists who find themselves in difficult times, including those suffering from ill health, accident victims and those without work.

Each year the society aims to make donations totalling at least £20,000 from events and collections.