Local Freemasons support FORCE
FORCE Cancer Charity has received a generous donation of £1,750, thanks to a group of local Freemasons.
Every Spring and Autumn Freemasons from around Devon meet to give support totalling in excess of £50,000 to local charities and organisations throughout the county.
FORCE was one of the groups, nominated by their local Lopes Lodge 5526.
The money is raised by the WAKE Fund, a trust conceived by the Right Worshipful Brother William Alexander Kneel, Provincial Grand Master from 1970 to 1984 and late owner of Kneels Laundry and Dry Cleaners (now Johnsons).
This fund now stands at almost £2 million and the interest earned is given annually to local non masonic organisations.
Since the first disbursement in 2001, more than £750,000 has been given to over 785 worthy causes selected by members of the 132 Masonic Lodges based in the county.
This month, The Very Worshipful Brother Nicholas Ball, Deputy Provincial Grand Master for Devonshire, presented cheques to 25 deserving causes at the Masonic Hall in Uffculme.
Representatives from the charities, accompanied by a Mason from their nominating lodge, enjoyed a buffet supper, toured the Lodge, asked questions about to freemasonry and received cheques totalling £25,000.
Mr Ball said: “I am delighted that the Freemasons of Devon are able to contribute to these important local causes, many of which are totally run by volunteers, and hopefully these donations will make a real difference.”
Oly Watts, FORCE fundraising development officer, thanked Mr Ball and said: “We are very grateful for this generous gift from our local Freemasons, enabling us to help more local people affected by cancer, close to home and face to face.”
- Our pictures show Nicholas Ball presenting a cheque to Oly Watts, alongside Ray Lockton from Lopes Lodge 5526 and all the charities represented at the presentation evening.
