Grand support from Devon Freemasons
FORCE has received a generous donation of £1,000 thanks to nomination by a local masonic lodge.
Every spring and autumn Freemasons from around Devon meet to give support totalling almost £50,000 to local charities and organisations throughout the county.
FORCE was nominated by the Louis Marchesi Lodge No. 9558 from Tiverton.
The money is raised by the WAKE Fund, a trust conceived by the Right Worshipful Brother William Alexander Kneel, Provincial Grand Master of Devonshire from 1970 to 1984, the late owner of Kneels laundry and dry cleaners (now Johnsons).
The fund now stands at £1.88 million and the interest earned is given annually to local non-masonic organisations in need of help.
Since the first disbursement in 2001, in excess of £600,000 has been given to more than 700 worthy causes selected by members of the 137 masonic lodges based in the county.
FORCE was one of 27 organisation presented in total with £27,000 this year by Right Worshipful Brother Ian Kingsbury JP, Provincial Grand Master for Devonshire, at a special event in Uffculme.
Making the contributions, Ian Kingsbury said: “I am delighted that the Freemasons of Devon can continue to contribute to these important local causes, many of which are totally run by volunteers, and hopefully these donations will make a real difference to the lives of many people.”
Our picture shows Mr Kingsbury (left) presenting a cheque to FORCE fundraiser Mervyn Hayes with Robin Watts from the Louis Marchesi Lodge No. 9558.
