Devon Freemasons give £19,000 Support to local charities and organisations
Every Spring and Autumn Freemasons from all around Devon meet to support local organisations and charities who are require financial assistance, amongst those included are Schools, 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 over £1.9 million, from which the trustees distribute the income generated, currently almost £45,000 each year.
Since the first disbursement in 2001 almost £700,000 has been given to over 740 worthy non masonic organisations and charities throughout Devon, selected by members of the 133 Masonic lodges based throughout the county.
On Friday 2nd June Right Worshipful Brother Ian Kingsbury JP. Provincial Grand Master for the Province of Devonshire presented cheques to 20 deserving causes, held at The Masonic Hall, Hollands Road, Teignmouth. 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 £19,000. 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 especially in this year when we are proud to be celebrating the Tercentenary of Freemasonry in England”.
Among the organisations to benefit this year are, Princetown Primary School, Friends of Longcause School Plymouth, Plymouth Deaf Children’s Society, Plymouth & District Special Olympics, The Church of the Good Shepherd, Oreston, Plymouth, Yealmpton Cricket Club, SENSE Deafblind Organisation Exeter, Stop Abuse for Everyone Exeter, Force Cancer Charity Exeter, The Exeter Hindu Temple Community Centre, Exeter & E. Devon Motor Neurone Disease association, Exeter Children’s Orchestra, Ottery St. Mary Hospital League of Friends, North Dartmoor Search & Rescue Okehampton, North & E. Devon Prostrate Support Exeter, Chemo-Hero’s Barnstaple, Bovey Tracey Swimming Pool, Torbay Hospital Special Baby Care Unit, Salcombe Mini Bus.
Pictured: Representatives from the above organisations and charities with their cheques.
