Devon Freemasons to Donate £1,500 support to Sense Devon Group

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.

This Autumn on Friday 4th November at Mount Edgcumbe Masonic Hall, Citadel Road, Plymouth PL1 2NG, Ian Kingsbury the Provincial Grand Master of the Devonshire Freemasons presented cheques to the value of £26, 000 to eighteen deserving causes.

Phillipa May from the “Sense Devon Group” was there to receive a cheque for £1500 and said “Sense” is a charity whose main responsibility is to care for the Deafblind, we as a Devonshire based group ensure the funds received in Devon are used to support the needs of the young people who are cared for in the four day care and residential centres which are based in and around the Exeter area and give home support to families throughout Devon, we were founded 36 years ago in Newton Abbot, our Patron Lord Clifford of Chudleigh has been a wonderful support for almost 35 years. Sense had been nominated by the members of St. Michaels Lodge who are based in Dawlish.  

Provincial Grand Master of Devonshire, Ian Kingsbury JP: Said. “We are so lucky that Devon has this legacy to share with small groups and charities who are put forward by their local Lodges. We’ve had larger Devon based Charities getting quite significant donations from the National Masonic Charitable Foundation. But this is us using local funds to help many smaller local groups and charities”.

Reuben Ayres, Devonshire’s Charity Steward: Said "Since the first disbursement in 2001 nearly £900,000 has been given to over 960 worthy non-masonic organisations and charities throughout Devon, selected by members of the 128 Masonic lodges based throughout the county."