Devon Freemasons donate £25,000 to good causes
Every Spring and Autumn Freemasons from all around Devon meet to support local organisations and charities who are require financial assistance, among which are Schools, Scouts, Youth Centres and locally based charities including Hospices, Hospital Services and Cancer Charities.
The money is raised through the “WAKE FUND” a trust conceived by Right Worshipful Brother William Alexander Kneel, the Provincial Grand Master of Devonshire from 1970 to 1984, the late owner of Kneels laundry & dry cleaners (Now Johnsons) . Since the idea was initiated the fund has grown through the continued generosity of Devonshire Freemasons and wise investments which today stands at £1.88 million, from which the trustees distribute the income generated, currently almost £50,000 each year.
Since the first disbursement in 2001 over £625,000 has been given to over 700 worthy non masonic organisations and charities throughout Devon, selected by members of the 137 Masonic lodges based throughout the county.
On Friday October 28th Right Worshipful Brother Ian Kingsbury JP. Provincial Grand Master for the Province of Devonshire presented cheques to 27 deserving causes, held at The Masonic Hall, Ashleigh Road, Uffculme. the charity representatives accompanied by a member from their nominating lodge were able to enjoy a superb reception & buffet, have a tour around the lodge building, ask any questions they wished and receive their 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 continue to contribute to these important local causes many of which are totally run by volunteers and hopefully these donations will make a real difference to the lives of many people”.
Among those organisations that benefited are, The Plymouth Children’s Theatre Workshop, Community Health in Lipson Plymouth, MacMillan Nurses at Derriford Hospital Plymouth, the Cardiology Department, Derriford Hospital Plymouth, Plymouth Music Zone, the Alzheimer’s Society Plymouth, the Peninsula Medical Foundation Plymouth, Torbay Hospital League of Friends, Torbay Olympic Gymnastic Club, The Daisy Play Centre Totnes, Kingsbridge Community College, Newton Abbot Community Transport, Dartmoor Pony Heritage Trust Bovey Tracey, St.Loyes Foundation Exeter, Force Cancer Trust Exeter, Dream-A-Way Exeter, Foodcycle Exeter, The Seaton Scout Group, Unite Carers in Mid Devon, Sidmouth Town Band, the Children’s Hospice South West Barnstaple, Queen Elizabeth Academy Trust Crediton, D’Arts Crediton, the New Tavistock Youth Café, the Good Samaritans of South Molton, Ilfracombe RFC.
