MACS receives £1,000 from local Freemasons

Every Spring and Autumn, Freemasons from all parts of Devon meet to give support totalling in excess of £50,000 to local charities & organisations throughout the county who are in need of assistance. MACS was one of the groups who were nominated by St Michael’s Lodge. MACS (Microphthalmia, Anophthalmia and Coloboma Support) supports children born without eyes or with underdeveloped eyes, and their families. The charity’s network of regional representatives ensures that families are brought together locally, including in and around Exeter, so that everyone feels part of the MACS family.

MACS provides a range of services to support every member of the family, including a helpline, patient and medical information, regional group support, an annual family weekend break, and adventure activities for MACS children and their siblings. One of the organisation’s main aims is to connect families to each other for peer support, and a year-round programme of regional events helps to achieve this. MACS conditions are rare, and having another family to talk to can make a world of difference – especially if they are local to one another and able to meet up.

The money for this donation is raised by the “WAKE Fund”, a trust conceived by the Right Worshipful Brother William Alexander Kneel, our Provincial Grand Master from 1970 to 1984, the late owner of Kneels laundry & dry cleaners (now Johnsons). This fund now stands at almost £2 million and the interest earned is given annually to local non masonic organisations who are in need of help. Since the first disbursement in 2001, over £690,000 has been given to over 790 worthy causes selected by members of the 133 Masonic lodges based in the county.

This year on Friday 1st June, The Right Worshipful Brother Ian Kingsbury JP, Provincial Grand Master for Devonshire, presented cheques to 22 deserving causes. Meeting at the Mount Edgcumbe Masonic Hall, Citadel Road East, Plymouth, the charity representatives, accompanied by a Mason from their nominating lodge, were able to enjoy a buffet supper, explore the Lodge and ask questions about freemasonry, whilst receiving cheques totalling the magnificent sum of £25,000. Making the contributions, Ian Kingsbury said “I am delighted that the Freemasons of Devon are able to contribute to these important local causes, many of which are so competently run by volunteers, and hopefully these donations will make a real difference”.

The Regional Representative from MACS, Mrs Jenny Lupton, attended the event with her son Ben, who has microphthalmia (small eyes) and her husband Tim, who raises substantial funds for MACS through running many many miles every year. Mrs Lupton thanked Ian Kingsbury and said “MACS is a small charity, but we are able to support thousands of individuals all over the UK, ensuring that MACS children have the same opportunities available to every child. Such a significant donation will go a long way towards helping more MACS children build their confidence and live their best life”.

Pictured: Ben Lupton receiving a cheque for £1,000 from Ian Kingsbury, accompanied by Jenny and Tim Lupton from MACS, and Worshipful Brother John Potter and Brother Bob Buckley from St Michael’s Lodge.