EVERY spring and autumn Freemasons from around Devon gather to give support totalling £40,000 to local organisations who are in need of assistance, which this year included West Devon-based South West Equine Protection (SWEP).

The money is raised through the ‘WAKE Fund’ a trust conceived by the right worshipful brother William Alexander Kneel, the provincial grand master from 1970 to 1984. The fund now stands at £1.8-million and the interest earned is given annually to local non-masonic organisations who are need of help. Since the first disbursement in 2001, more than £575,000 has been given to over 670 worthy causes.

This year the provincial grand master for Devon, Ian Kingsbury, presented cheques to 23 deserving causes, £1,000 of which was presented to SWEP.