Devon Freemasons give £25,000 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. This year sadly, due to the Coronavirus pandemic we are unable to meet in the usual manner to distribute the cheques but never the less we have still made the donations, but instead of gathering together with a glass of wine we have had to send the money direct to the charities concerned.
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 almost £2.0 million, from which the trustees distribute the income generated, currently £50,000 each year.
Since the first disbursement in 2001 over £820,000 has been given to over 900 worthy non masonic organisations and charities throughout Devon, they were all selected by members of the 131 Masonic lodges based throughout the county.
On Friday 29th May Rt. W. Bro. Ian Kingsbury JP. Provincial Grand Master for the Devonshire Freemasons was to present cheques to 24 deserving causes at a meeting due to be held at The Mount Edgcumbe Masonic Hall, Citadel Road Plymouth totalling the magnificent sum of £25,000. Making the contributions directly into their bank accounts instead 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 these difficult times when all charities and community initiatives are so short of funding, we as Freemasons are very aware of the continued needs of others and continue to try to make a difference.
Among the organisations that have benefited are, Burston Meadows Recreation Group. Crediton, Mill Water School. East Budleigh, Budleigh Community Youth Project. Budleigh Salterton,
Heads Up Mental Health. Exmouth, Sidmouth Hospiscare, Tairu Charitable Trust. Torbay Hospital. Torquay RFU under 10’s, Rowcroft Hospice. Torquay, Purple Angel Dementia Awareness. Torbay, Totnes Caring, Dart Trekkers. Dartmouth, East Teignbridge Community Transport. Dawlish, Woodlands Pre-School. Ivybridge, Chestnut Appeal. Plymouth, Get Up & Go. Plymouth, Plymouth & Cornwall Cancer Fund, Crohns & Colitis Devon Network. Plymouth, Salvation Army. Whitleigh Plymouth, The High Dependency Unit Derriford Hospital, Plymouth Drake Sea Cadets & Royal Marine Cadets, 2039 Squadron ATC. Plymouth, St. Peter’s Church. Tawstock, Holsworthy Town Band, Winkleigh Village Hall.
