THE 1st Holsworthy Scout group received £1,000 from the Freemasons after being nominated by its local lodge for the support.

Every spring and autumn Freemasons from all parts of Devon meet to give support totalling in excess of £50,000 to local charities and organisations throughout the county that are in need of assistance, and the 1st Holsworthy Scout group was one of the groups nominated by its local lodge No.3483 in Holsworthy.

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 and 1984, the late owner of Kneels laundry and 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. Since the first disbursement in 2001 more than £820,000 has been given to more than 911 worthy causes selected by members of the 131 masonic lodges based in the county.

This year, on Friday, November 1, Right Worshipful Brother Ian Kingsbury JP Provincial Grand Master for the Devonshire Freemasons presented cheques to 20 deserving causes. Meeting at the Exmouth Masonic Hall, the charity representatives accompanied by a Mason from their nominating lodge were able to enjoy a buffet supper, explore the lodge, ask questions about Freemasonry while receiving their cheques totalling the magnificent sum of £25,000.

Making the contributions Mr 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.”

The members from the 1st Holsworthy Scout group who attended thanked Mr Kingsbury and said they were thrilled to receive the generous donation which will be put towards the purchase of their own field, which is near completion.