Devon Freemasons to Donate £17,500 support to 19 Local 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.
Reuben Ayres, Devonshire’s Charity Steward said:
"Since the first disbursement in 2001 nearly £875,000 has been given to over 960 worthy non-masonic organisations and charities throughout Devon, selected by members of the 131 Masonic lodges based throughout the county."
Provincial Grand Master, Ian Kingsbury added:
“We are so lucky that the county has this legacy to share to small Devon groups and charities who are put forward by their local Lodges. It’s a chance for us to help where other funding may be difficult to get for small local groups”.
This year on Thursday 21st October at 6pm, Nicholas Ball, Deputy Provincial Grand Master of the Devonshire Freemasons presented cheques to the deserving causes. The meeting was held at The Mount Edgcumbe Masonic Hall, Citadel Road East, Plymouth. Due to the current restrictions on numbers only 10 charities attended in person, the remainder having received their cheques by post.
The 19 Organisations who benefited this Autumn were:-
1) Show up Now (bringing a high quality production through drama workshops to primary schools), nominated by The Pelican Lodge No.7878 (Plymouth).
2) Plymouth Foodbank (working to serve the community and fight poverty), nominated by The Victory Lodge No.4189 (Plymouth).
3) Pipe up Devon (inspiring and improving the skills of young church organists in Devon). Direct application to the WAKE Fund.
4) 4th Crediton Brownies (to help with the cost of replacing the tents used for Brownie holidays), nominated by Unity Lodge No.1332 (Crediton).
5) Erme Valley riding for the Disabled (to provide disabled people of all ages the opportunity to enjoy the benefits of riding), nominated by Philammon Lodge No.3226 (Plymouth).
6) Tavistock Heritage Trust (to help with the funding of the restoration of an important Tudor wall painting found in Tavistock). Direct application to the WAKE Fund.
7) 1st Holsworthy Scouts (to assist with costs of replacing equipment on their new Scout field), nominated by Conciliation Lodge No.3483 (Holsworthy).
8) Sense Devon (to support deafblind people and to provide specialist services for disabled people). Nominated by St Michael’s Lodge No.8186 (Dawlish).
9) Winkleigh Tennis Courts Refurbishment (to help with fundraising efforts to provide a fun, safe facility for all in the local area). Direct application to the WAKE Fund.
10) Highground (improving the employment prospects and well being of serving personnel and veterans). Nominated by The Northcote Lodge No.2659 (Exeter).
11) Newton and Noss Village Hall (to provide recreational, educational and leisure facilities for the local community). Nominated by Yealm Lodge No.8277 (Totnes).
12) St Andrews Methodist Church, Torquay (to assist in the upgrading of church toilet facilities with improvements to disabled access and baby changing). Nominated by The Lodge of St Mary No.5148 (Torquay).
12) Appledore Book Festival (to increase the enjoyment of reading and encourage creative writing through the provision of inspirational events). Nominated by The Lodge of Benevolence No.489 (Bideford).
14) Okehampton Town Christmas Lights (to help with the running costs of Okehampton’s Christmas lights in 2021). Nominated by The Lodge of Obedience No.1753 (Okehampton).
15) South Molton Town Band (teaching for the junior band and instruction about community involvement). Nominated by The Loyal Lodge of Industry No.421 (South Molton).
16) Meadowside, Newton Abbot (to support adults with learning difficulties). Nominated by The Newton Lodge No.6128 (Newton Abbot).
17) Topsham Museum (to assist in the running costs of a much loved community museum). Nominated by The Bishop Surtees Lodge No.8497.
18) Centre Stage Youth Theatre (to assist with the costs of staging youth workshops). Nominated by The Rolle Lodge No.2759 (Exmouth).
19) East Devon Support Group for Parkinson Disease (to offer support and assistance for those suffering from Parkinson’s Disease). Nominated by The Sun Lodge No.106 (Exmouth).
