Exeter Hindu Temple Cultural & Community Centre receives £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, one of the groups who were nominated by their local lodge were Exeter Hindu Temple Cultural & Community Centre.

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 £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 nearly £725,000 has been given to over 765 worthy causes selected by members of the 133 Masonic lodges based in the county.

This year The Right Worshipful Brother Ian Kingsbury JP. Provincial Grand Master for Devonshire presented cheques to 25 deserving causes. Meeting at the Masonic Hall, the charity representatives accompanied by a Mason from their nominating lodge were able to enjoy a buffet supper, explore the Lodge, ask any questions with reference to freemasonry 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 contribute to these important local causes many of which are totally run by volunteers and hopefully these donations will make a real difference especially in this the Tercentenary year of English Freemasonry”.

The members from The Exeter Hindu Temple who attended thanked Ian Kingsbury and said the money would be used to print prayer books and material for cultural education for Devon youth and school children who are visited regularly on a voluntary basis. Cultural Education & Diversity is encouraged as part of the school curriculum, and the Exeter Hindu Temple is frequently approached by schools through their website.                                                                                                                                     

Pictured: Dr Manish Gandhi and Bro Manoj Chitnavis receiving the cheque from Ian Kingsbury accompanied by W. Bro Chris Elliot of St George’s Lodge and  Bro Rajen Chowtee from Jordon Lodge Torbay.