Devon Freemasons celebrate over one million pounds donated to local Charities by donating another £30,250 to 20 more local Devon Charities & Organisations
Every Spring and Autumn Freemasons from all around Devon meet to support local organisations who require financial assistance, among which are children’s charities, 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 William Alexander Kneel, the Devonshire Provincial Grand Master 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. Today it stands at £2.3 million from which the trustees distribute the income generated, currently around £50,000 each year.
Anthony Eldred, Devonshire Freemasons Charity Steward :
“It was once again a great pleasure to welcome charities and community groups to Uffculme masonic hall for the second of our annual charity distributions this year.
Grants totalling over 30,000 were presented to 20 deserving causes drawn from across the county, each sponsored by a Devonshire masonic lodge.
Despite challenging weather conditions, over 100 guests and freemasons were able to attend, and it was a privilege to meet and chat with the charities’ representatives and contribute to the excellent work that they do in our communities.”
Provincial Grand Master of Devonshire Freemasons Nicholas Ball:
“One of the highlights of our masonic calendar. To be able to support small local charities who do so much for our communities is very special. It is so moving to hear about their efforts and the fantastic work that they do.
I feel extremely proud to support such worthy causes on behalf of the members of Devonshire Freemasons.”
Charities benefitting this November:-
1. Uplift (Devon) Children’s Charity
To support the ongoing work to improve the lives of children under the age of five years by offering education, support and workshops, proposed by the Loyal Lodge of Industry No 421, South Molton £1,500 donation.
Supporting around 120 families a month to help improve mental and physical health, the monies donated will go to sponsor workshops in the community.
2. Reverse Rett
To promote swimming therapy for local people, schools and also mobility swimming, proposed by the Lodge of Unity No 1332 Crediton with a £1,500 donation.
Rett Syndrome is a neurological condition which most often strikes previously healthy little girls between their first and second birthday, leaving them with multiple disabilities and medical complexities for life.
3. Exmouth Gateway Club
The objectives are to give their 120 disabled members the chance to develop their social and independence skills proposed by Sun Lodge No 106 in Exmouth. £1500 donation.
The donated money will greatly assist in the provision of storage facilities for equipment to benefit members, and help them enjoy the club's facilities more.
4. Plymouth Night Patrol
To provide free medical and welfare aid to people in the Plymouth night time economy. proposed by The Old Plymouth and Mannameadian Lodge No 6279 Plymouth. £1,500 donation.
Twelve volunteers on special ‘Emergency bikes’ operate wednesday-friday-saturday nights 10pm to 4 am around Plymouth city centre to act as a buffer between the Public and the Emergency services. Last year they assisted 709 patients.
5. Horrabridge & Buckland Monachorum Scout Group
For the betterment and development of young people. Proposed by The Pelican Lodge No 7878 Plymouth, £1500 donation.
Buckland (St Andrews) Scout Group recently merged with Horrabridge Scout Group sharing resources, leaders, members, programmes and meeting places. They have a Beaver Colony, Cub Pack and a Scout Troop – catering for young people from the age of 6 to 14. They aim to offer all our young people skills for life, having fun whilst learning!
The Freemasons donation will go towards adventure trails and valuable experiences for the Scouts.
6. All Stars Theatre Group
To bring the magic of the stage to neurodiverse adults and their families. Proposed by The Victory Lodge No 4189 Plymouth, £1500 donation.
Helping to fill a gap in care for adults 18+ providing a theatre / show based community to engage with adults with learning difficulties. 21 Members with 9 volunteers working together to bring together singing/ dance/ performing arts for a show in April, at the Lipson Vale Theatre. A very successful Group.
7. Bradworthy Memorial Hall
To assist with the refurbishment of the hall, proposed by Conciliation Lodge No 3483 of Holsworthy, a donation of £1500.
The very welcome donation will assist greatly with the refurbishment of the kitchen in the hall, projected costs of £8,500. The other large project is roof repairs, fundraising underway for £64,000 projected cost.
8. Millfields Trust
To work with children and families in the immediate and surrounding neighbourhoods of Stonehouse and Devonport in Plymouth and to provide children with pathways to future careers. A direct Provincial donation of £1500.
Supporting children and their families with future career opportunities, trying to break the chain of multi generational unemployment in some of the poorest areas of the Country. They work with 9 schools in Stonehouse and Devonport. Partnering with local businesses offering a variety of future careers, opening the eyes of young people to go into work / career and improving lives.
9. Well-Being Café, Okehampton
To provide a safe space for local people with mental health issues and those needing suicide prevention support, proposed by the Lodge of Obedience No 1753 in Okehampton with a donation of £1500.
The Well-being Café was set up in August 2022. We provide a space in Okehampton for people to come who are struggling with their mental health & well-being and to provide a community hub where people can meet friends and access practical support. The café offers support to all members of the community in Okehampton and the surrounding hamlets. The Well-being Café offers a place of safety, social interaction, access to therapeutic activities and practical support. A key aim is to make Okehampton and district a suicide safer community.
10.Barton Cricket Club Torquay
Encouragement of youth cricket for under 8’s to under 15’s, proposed by Western District United Service Lodge No 2258 in Plymouth with a donation of £1500.
The club provides a means to engage with young people in the areas of high deprivation of Hele and Barton. Currently they have a membership of 120 young people.
They were one of the founding members of the South Devon Youth League and this season will have teams in the 12, 14, 15 and 17 age groups. They put a huge emphasis on our youth section and younger players because they are our future. With several ECB level one and two coaches who coach all-year round - in the winter on Friday nights between 6pm and 9pm and from the first week of May at the club on Sundays from 10am to noon. Being aClubmark club they have coaches out working on their behalf at four local schools as part of a Chance to Shine programme where cricket is delivered as part of the curriculum.
11. Friends of Tiverton Town Leat
To restore and improve the Tiverton Town Leat for the benefit of the community, proposed by St Peters Lodge No 1125 in Tiverton with a donation of £1500.
A group setup to restore the Town’s historic 1260 AD leat and preserve it’s history for future generations. having been disused for many years, much work is needed to restore and repair it’s structure and get the water running again !
12.Ilfracombe Sea Cadets
Ilfracombe Sea Cadets work in the local community to give young people of all backgrounds access to incredible opportunities and provide valuable skills. Proposed by the Louis Marchesi Lodge No 9558 of Uffcombe with a donation of £1750.
With 10-18 year olds being given the opportunities for like skills and team work, there are 57 different qualifications they can achieve, the Freemasons donation will help in providing opportunities many might have missed.
13.Alice Cross Centre
A small charity in Teignmouth that is very much community based. It assists a huge variety of people of all ages and is an important hub in the town.Proposed by the Benevolent Lodge No 303 with a donation of £1500.
Having been going since 1978 it provides a community hub with health and wellbeing for around 400 people a week, many being elderly and lonely. The donation is very welcome.
14.Children’s Hospice South West
To provide hospice care for children from 0-21 years from the point of diagnoses, proposed by The Lord Roborough Lodge No 5789 of Plymouth with a donation of £1500.
They sum up what they do:
The word charity only describes how this place is funded – not what it does. It is the primary service for ALL parents and carers of children with short lives. It is the helping hand for the worn out dad who lifts their child to bed every night, the entertainment committee for the siblings who never get a holiday, the steady voice on the phone for the weary mum with too many choices to make, the medical advice for your kids unique needs, and the ongoing hug for the grieving parent
15. Pete’s Dragon
Support for those who have been impacted by suicide, proposed by The Lopes Lodge No 5526 Exeter with a donation of £1500
Pete’s Dragons have a team of specialists dedicated to working with children and young people in Devon, Plymouth & Torbay.It is their mission to reach those impacted by suicide and provide support that is timely, appropriate and carried out by professionals. They understand that everyone experiences grief in a unique way they believe that every person deserves bespoke help following a suicide.
16. The Bovey Tracey Youth Cafe
To help and support young people and give them leisure time activities. Proposed by The Bovey Tracey Lodge No 8698 with a donation of £1500.
Operating Mondays to Thursdays it’s a base for around 40 young people a week to try to improve lives with activities and friendship. The donated money is very welcome to help support those activities.
17. Swim Torquay
A community focused swimming pool that has been offering affordable and accessible swimming sessions for over 40 years. Proposed by The Lodge of St Mary No 5148 Torquay with a donation of £1500.
The Freemasons donation will help with their fund to refurbish their changing rooms:
“Our recent pool user survey validated our decision to start fundraising for our changing rooms refurbishment. 67% of our pool users rated our changing rooms as average, below average or poor. We need your help and support to help us achieve our target.”
18. Colyton Caterpillars
To provide early education in a fully inclusive environment that meets the needs of all children, proposed by The De La Pole Lodge No 1181 at Seaton with a donation of £1500.
At Colyton Caterpillars, they like to encourage, explore and embrace the environment we have around us, as such they view the outstanding beauty and nature we have on our doorstep as our outdoor classroom. They try to promote the use of this daily as a form of educational learning promoting global development for all our children.
The very welcome donation will help fund their new kitchen.
19. Budleigh Unpaid Carers
To give all types of support to unpaid carers within the East Devon area, proposed by The Per Mare Per Terram Lodge No 9355 of Exmouth with a donation of £1500.
Their mission : To support unpaid carers and provide a safe space so they can chat to similar people to reduce loneliness and isolation. Also a memory cafe and linking local groups together.
20. Starcross Dons Youth FC
To promote youth football for girls and boys in the local area, proposed by The Lodge of Union No 444 of Starcross with a donation of £1500.
It’s a village club founded in 2016 with a youth section in 2018, currently with an amazing 300 members in 22 Teams providing enjoyment, exercise and fun ! Recently a Girls team has been formed. The very generous Freemasons donation will help make a Cafe on the sports field, that's a real plus.
