Devon Freemasons to Donate £1500 support to Heart Heroes Devon Hub

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.

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."

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 twenty-one deserving causes.

‘We are delighted to have received such an amazing donation to support our Devon hub and our local families. From our monthly hubs, fun days out, supporting families when they are in hospital, online activities/events, sending books to support heart children and siblings, bereavement support through funding castings and the grief recovery method. Heart Heroes Founder Kelly Cornish.

GIVE HOPE to children living with Heart Conditions and their families visit www.heartheroes.co.uk