A TEAM of volunteer vets and vet nurses have received £1,000 from local Freemasons after being nominated by Conciliation Lodge No.3483 in Holsworthy.

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 who are in need of assistance. StreetVet Plymouth was one of the groups nominated by the Holsworthy Lodge. StreetVet is a registered charity and veterinary practice with a dedicated team of volunteer vets and vet nurses providing much needed veterinary care to homeless people and their animals. StreetVet has teams in 15 cities nationwide and continues to grow. StreetVet has been active in Plymouth since April 2018.

The money was 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 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, 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 whilst 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 volunteers from StreetVet Plymouth who attended thanked Mr Kingsbury. StreetVet veterinary surgeon and representative of Conciliation Lodge No.3483 Adam Revitt said: “Without the support of the local community and organisations such as the WAKE fund we would be unable to provide this essential service.”

StreetVet veterinary nurse Laura Rudd said: “The money we have been generously awarded will go a long way in helping us to improve the lives of the people and animals that we work with in Plymouth.”

Fellow StreetVet veterinary nurse Kirsty Cavill added: “Thank you to the freemasons of Devon for this generous donation, it is a privilege to receive it on behalf of StreetVet Plymouth.”