Every Spring and Autumn Freemasons from all parts of Devon meet to give support totalling in excess of £50,000 to local charities & organisations throughout the county who are in need of assistance. Exmouth in Bloom were chosen as one of the groups nominated by their local lodge, Sun Lodge, Exmouth.
The money is raised by the “WAKE Fund” a trust conceived by the Right Worshipful Brother William Alexander Kneel, the Provincial Grand Master from 1970 to 1984, the late owner of Kneels laundry & dry cleaners (now Johnsons). This fund now stands at £2 million and the interest earned is given annually to local non masonic organisations in need of help.
This year on Friday 31st May, Right Worshipful Brother Ian Kingsbury JP. Provincial Grand Master for Devonshire presented cheques to 23 deserving causes, including Exmouth in Bloom, at a meeting at the Mount Edgcumbe Masonic Hall, Plymouth. 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 so competently run by volunteers and hopefully these donations will make a real difference”.
Mrs. Gerry Bassett, Exmouth in Bloom’s Chairman, seen here being presented with the cheque, gave grateful thanks to the Masons for their generosity.
