By ALEX WOOD @MrAlexWood
Jeremiah’s Journey (top left), the Plymouth and Cornwall Wing Air Training Corps (top right) and the Laira Youth Band (bottom left) will receive part of a £25,000 fund set aside for local causes by Devonshire Freemasons (pictured bottom right)
Money raised through the masons’ WAKE fund – a trust conceived by a former Provincial Grand Master – will be shared among local causes, including the Laira Youth Band and Jeremiah’s Journey, at The Mount Edgcumbe Masonic Hall later this week.
A whopping £1.85million has been raised by Devonshire Freemasons since the fund was initiated, and more than £40,000 has been donated to worthwhile causes and non-masonic organisations every year since 2001.
Sandra Beer receiving the cheque from The Provincial Grand Master of Devon, R.W.Bro. Ian Kingsbury accompanied by W.Bro John Chapman & W.Bro. Mark Lewis of The Lodge of Fortitude in 2014
Clive Eden, the provincial press officer, said: “Every spring and autumn, Freemasons from all around Devon meet to support local organisations who are in need of financial assistance, among which are schools, scouts, youth centres and charities.
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“Since the first disbursement in 2001 over £570,000 has been given to over 675 worthy non-masonic organisations and charities throughout Devon, selected by members of the 137 Masonic lodges based in the county.
The Mount Edgcumbe Masonic Hall, situated on Citadel Road
“This Friday, at 7pm, the right worshipful brother, Ian Kingsbury JP. Provincial Grand Master for Devonshire, will be presenting cheques to 25 deserving causes.”
Among the charities that will benefit are the Plymouth and Cornwall Wing Air Training Corps, the Ivybridge Memory Clinic, Dartmoor Search and Rescue, Plymouth Christmas Basket Brigade and St Matthew’s Primary School PTFA.