Sense Deafblind charity receive £1,000 from local Freemasons 

Every Spring and Autumn Freemasons from around Devon meet to give support totalling in excess of £50,000 to local charities & organisations throughout the county who are in need of assistance, “SENSE” the Charity for the Deafblind who are based in Exeter & Newton Abbot were one of the groups who were nominated by their local lodge St. Michaels of Dawlish.

The money 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 that are in need of help. Since the first disbursement in 2001 over £770,000 has been given to over 868 worthy causes selected by members of the 131 Masonic lodges based in the county.

This year on Friday 1st November, Rt. Worshipful Brother Ian Kingsbury JP, Provincial Grand Master for Devonshire presented cheques to 20 deserving causes. Meeting at the Masonic Hall, Exmouth, the charity representatives accompanied by a Mason from their nominating lodge were able to enjoy a buffet supper, explore the Lodge, ask questions about to freemasonry and receive their cheques totalling the magnificent sum of £25,000. Making the contributions Ian Kingsbury JP. said “I am delighted that the Freemasons of Devon are able to contribute to these important local causes many of which are totally run by volunteers and hopefully these donations will make a real difference.

The member from The “SENSE Devon Group” Peter Holman who attended thanked Ian Kingsbury and Said that 100% of the donation would be spent on those in need who are living in the county to assist them with living standards in the residential homes based in Exeter & Sidmouth as well as those living at home within the county.