EVERY Spring and Autumn Freemasons from all around Devon meet to support local organisations who require financial assistance, among which are children’s charities, schools, youth centres and locally based charities including hospices, hospital services and cancer charities.

The money is raised through the “WAKE Fund”, a trust conceived by William Alexander Kneel, the Devonshire Provincial Grand Master from 1970 to 1984, the late owner of Kneel’s laundry and dry cleaners (now Johnson’s).

Since the idea was initiated, the fund has grown through the continued generosity of Devonshire Freemasons and wise investments. Today it stands at £2.3 million from which the trustees distribute the income generated, currently around £50,000 each year.

Provincial Grand Master of Devonshire, Ian Kingsbury JP said: “We are so lucky that Devon has this legacy to share with small groups and charities who are put forward by their local Lodges.

“We’ve had larger Devon based charities getting quite significant donations from the National Masonic Charitable Foundation, but this is us using local funds to help many smaller local groups and charities.”

Reuben Ayres, Devonshire’s Charity Steward said: “Since the first disbursement in 2001, nearly £900,000 has been given to over 960 worthy non-masonic organisations and charities throughout Devon, selected by members of the 128 Masonic lodges based throughout the county.”

On November 4 at Mount Edgcumbe Masonic Hall, Citadel Road, Plymouth, Mr Kingsbury presented cheques to 21 deserving causes and South West Blood Bikes was one of those supported.

South West Blood Bikes is an Emergency Volunteer Service which provides a free-of-charge urgent courier service to the NHS and Hospices throughout Devon, using a fleet of specially converted motorcycles and cars.

The charity makes no charge for its services, and so far this year alone has completed more than 2,000 jobs, benefitting over 10,000 patients and covered 60,000 miles – and we have saved the NHS and Hospices locally well over £100,000 – money which can instead be spent on patient care, instead of being used on expensive private couriers who would otherwise provide this service.

Mark Bentley, Chairperson of South West Blood Bikes, said: “The support shown to us by the Devon Freemasons will massively help us to continue to provide our free service to the NHS and Hospices we serve.

“As we have no paid staff and make no charge for our services, we can guarantee that every penny donated will be spent on providing our services.  This support is massive to us, and will enable us to continue to provide and expand our services throughout the county.”

South West Blood Bikes was formed in 2018, and operates 10 liveried Blood Bikes and three cars and vans from three teams, based in Plymouth, Torbay and North Devon.

The Charity is registered with the Charity Commission – Registration number 1180510, and is the only such service in Devon to be recognised and to have been granted membership of the Nationwide Association of Blood Bikes.

The Charity currently has 62 active members, not only volunteering as riders or drivers, but also helping with controlling, fundraising and administrative duties.

If anyone is interested in volunteering in any of these roles, please send an email to: [email protected] or make contact through the Facebook page “South West Blood Bikes”.