Devon Freemasons Donate £27,500 support to 18 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.
This Autumn’s donations were held at the Mount Edgcumbe Masonic Hall on Plymouth’s historic Barbican, and it was good to see most of the Charities attend in person to collect their cheques.
Provincial Grand Master of Devonshire, R.W. Bro Ian Kingsbury 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 charities”.
W. Bro Reuben Ayres – Provincial Grand Charity Steward for the Devonshire Freemasons, said:
“Since the first disbursement in 2001, over £925,000 has been given by the Devon Freemasons WAKE Fund to charities and other worthy causes throughout Devon, selected by the 131 Masonic lodges within the county. Approximately 996 separate charities and organisations have benefited since it started.Charity is a fundamental principle for all Masons and this autumn on Friday 4th November from 7pm at the Mount Edgcumbe Masonic Hall, Citadel Road, Plymouth, PL1 2NG, Rt W Bro Ian Kingsbury JP, the Provincial Grand Master for the Devonshire Freemasons presented cheques to 18 local good causes amounting to £27,500.”
The 20 Organisations who will benefit this Autumn are:
- The Saunders Good Samaritan Fund “To provide relief when sudden and unexpected illness affects the family’. Proposed by Loyal Lodge of Industry 421 (South Molton).
- Pippins Pre-School & Nursery. “To give Care and Early life Skills to infant Children”. Proposed by The Unity Lodge 1332 (Crediton).
Sharleen Treen (Manager of Pippins Nursery) commented:
“We’ve been going for over 50 years now, we have 98 children currently from 0 to 5 years of age. The money donated will allow us to provide a Common room, so that our hard working Staff can escape for a few minutes to relax, have a cup of Team and put their legs up !”
- Torbay Hospital Radio. Towards a new control desk. Proposed by The Pelican Lodge 7878 (Plymouth).
- FORCE.”To ensure the best possible local support and care for people with cancer”. Proposed by Lodge of Obedience 1753 (Okehampton).
- Children’s Hospice SW. End of life care for Children and bereavement support. Proposed by Benevolent Lodge 303 (Teignmouth).
- The Cathedral School of St Mary in Stonehouse. “To support Children and their Families through difficult and emotional times”. Proposed by Harmony Lodge 156 (Plymouth).
- SENSE Devon.”Supporting People with complex disabilities”. Proposed by St Michaels Lodge (Dawlish).
- Heart Heros.”Working with Children and their families who are living with heart conditions”. Proposed by The Lodge of Harmony 372 (Budleigh Salterton).
- Plymouth Children in Poverty. “To eradicate child poverty in Plymouth”. Proposed by Western District United Services Lodge 2258 (Plymouth).
- The Starfish Appeal. “To create bright, warm and welcoming environments within the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital to reduce stress and anxiety within Children’s wards”. Proposed by The Lopes Lodge 5526 (Exeter).
- Southwest Blood Bikes. “To assist the NHS in transporting essential urgent supplies, such as blood and other medical supplies”. Proposed by Victory lodge 4189 (Plymouth).
Mark Anstis (Team Leader West Devon Area) stated:
“It’s not just emergency blood we carry for the NHS, it’s a whole range of urgent medical supplies, samples, medication, equipment and we even help Covid testing for people who can’t leave home. The money donated tonight will help greatly in the day to day running costs for us such as petrol and vehicle maintenance. We currently operate 10 motorbikes, 2 cars and 1 van.”
- Keep Me Close Appeal.“To create new accommodation to enable parents to be close to their Children who are being treated at Derriford Hospital. These children may only be 1 to 25 weeks old”. Proposed by Lodge of Union 444 (Starcross).
Jamie Lee (Plymouth Hospitals Charity) of which the Keep me close Appeal is part of told us about how the money will help.
“We currently rent 7 rooms in Student accommodation next to the Hospital to allow Parents to be very close to their Children in Hospital, and still get a good nights sleep. The money donated will pay for one room for around two months, we’re very grateful.”
- Street Games Plymouth. “To provide diversionary support activities for Children from deprived parts of Plymouth area who could be at risk of criminal offending”. Proposed by Old Plymothians and Mannameadian Lodge 6279 (Plymouth).
- Open Door Exmouth. Seeking to make a positive difference in people’s lives. Proposed by The sun lodge 106 (Exmouth).
- Exeter Gateway Centre. “A friendly place where disabled people can come together and enjoy a range of social and recreational activities”. Proposed by The Northcote Lodge 2659 (Exeter).
- Budleigh Community Workshop. Hosts a range of activities, practical, creative and social. Based at the Old Fire Station Budleigh Salterton. Proposed by Per Mare Per Terram Lodge 9355 (Exmouth).
- Balloons Charity. Bereavement support for Children and Young People. Proposed by Perseverance Lodge 164 (Sidmouth).
- Ugborough Football Club. To raise funds for new training equipment, bibs, balls etc. Direct award from Devonshire Province.
Here is the link to see all photos taken at the event – https://photos.app.goo.gl/jJCeoz4Ugubc2upS7
A copy of any picture taken at the event can be obtained by emailing John Smerdon at thewakefund@gmail.com, make sure you specify the charity of interest.
Bro Alec Collyer MBE
Provincial Press Officer