Freemasons add fire to the Dragon's breath

Three separate grants have been made recently by the Freemasons of Devonshire totalling over £4000 to Pete’s Dragons a charity dedicated to supporting those who have been bereaved by suicide across Devon.

Earlier this month Pete’s Dragon received a grant for £2500 from the Masonic Charitable Foundation (MCF), given on behalf of all the 5,500 freemasons in Devon and on the 23rd November they also received another grant of £1500 from the Wake Fund, a masonic trust fund which makes donations to local good causes by-annually throughout Devon.  In addition to these the Sun Lodge who meet in Exmouth donated another £300 to the charity last week.

The charity was founded by Alison Jordan after her brother, Pete Wicks, took his own life in 2010 at the age of 24. Working from a head office in Exmouth, Pete’s Dragons are currently supporting nearly 200 individuals who have been affected by a bereavement by suicide.  They provide a bespoke, client- led service which commonly includes providing information; on bereavement, legal and financial matters.  Specially trained Suicide Bereavement Liaison Officers provide Listening support, and clients are able to access counselling, holistic treatments, wellbeing sessions and Grief Recovery courses.  Comfort Grants are also available and the charity is currently collecting for its Operation Christmas Hamper Campaign, which sees approximately 60 boxes filled with Christmas gifts and food being sent out to beneficiaries.

Pete’s Dragons were visited today by W. Bro. Dr. Reuben Ayres the Provincial Grand Charity Steward for the Devonshire Freemasons to present them with a certificate commemorating the occasion, on passing it to Alison Jordan CEO & Kate Bedding Project Manager Reuben said “the public’s understanding of such a terrible problem is very limited but thankfully there are organisations like Pete’s Dragons out there, not only to care for those who are vulnerable but also their families whilst also educating us all about the needs of those contemplating such a terrible end to their precious lives”.

On receiving the Certificate Kate said “We are extremely grateful to the support of the Masonic Charitable Foundation, and the lodges across Devon for their donation to Pete’s Dragons. The money will enable us to continue the valuable work we do supporting individuals and families across Devon that have been bereaved by suicide”.