SENSE receives £750 from local Freemasons

Every Spring and Autumn Freemasons from around Devon meet to give support totalling in excess of £45,000 to local charities and organisations throughout the county who are in need of assistance, one of the groups who were nominated by St. Michaels lodge in Dawlish was the “SENSE” Devon Group who were founded as a branch of the national charity in Newton Abbot 33 years ago and now have residential centres in Exeter, Wimple and Sidmouth.

The money is raised by the “WAKE Fund” a trust conceived by the Right Worshipful Brother William Alexander Kneel, our Provincial Grand Master from 1970 to 1984, the late owner of Kneels laundry & dry cleaners (now Johnsons). This fund now stands at £1.95 million, the interest earned is given annually to local non masonic organisations who are deserving of help. Since the first disbursement  in 2001 over £700,000 has been given to over 740 worthy causes selected by members of the 133 Masonic lodges based in the county.

This year The Right Worshipful Brother Ian Kingsbury JP. Provincial Grand Master for Devonshire presented cheques to 20 deserving causes. Meeting at The Teignmouth Masonic Hall, Hollands Road, Teignmouth, the charity representatives accompanied by a Mason from their nominating lodge were able to enjoy a buffet supper, investigate the interior of the Lodge and receive their cheques totalling the magnificent sum of £19,000. Making the contributions Ian Kingsbury 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.

Clive Eden Chairman of the “SENSE Devon Group”based in Exeter  thanked Ian Kingsbury for the cheque of £750 and said Charities like SENSE could not continue their work without the support of organisations like the Freemasons, the Deafblind community in Devon will receive 100% of the money given tonight to give a little comfort to those who are in need.
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
Pictured are, left to right: Ian Kingsbury passing the £750 cheque to Clive Eden accompanied by Bro. Bob Buckley, Charity Steward of St. Michaels Lodge, Dawlish .