DURING these very difficult times Devon Freemasons says it has been aware of the increased needs of local charities due to the increased workload combined with a lack of funding from its usual sources.

Due to this, the Freemasons has given grants totalling more than £40,000 in the last three months.

The latest to have received help is the Devon Community Foundation, which has just been supported with a cheque for £7,500 to help it support people in need across the county.

At a recent meeting, Scott Walker, the Philanthropy Director of the Foundation, was delighted to be presented with the cheque by Nick Ball, The Deputy Provincial Grand Master of the Devonshire Freemasons, who was accompanied by Reuben Ayres, the Provincial Grand Charity Steward.?This generous gift brings the total donated during the last seven years to more than £50,000 and this year will allow the Foundation to continue its recent and vital support of voluntary and community groups both responding and affected by the coronavirus outbreak.

Nick Ball said: “It is a delight for us as Freemasons to be able to assist such a worthwhile and important local organisation, helping them to reach out to those most in need in our local communities.”

Some examples of the groups that have received grants from the Devon Coronavirus Response and Recovery Fund so far:

Torbay – Sense Abilities. Provided sensory items by post to children with additional needs, to support them and their parents whilst being cut off from their usual support services during lockdown.

East Devon – Honiton Carers Support Group used a small grant to purchase a new telephone, enabling it to contact its carers by telephone in lieu of face to face support.

North Devon – North Devon Hospice purchased vital PPE equipment enabling it to continue offering its vital palliative care.

Mid Devon – Churches Housing Action Team (CHAT) diversified its homeless and foodbank services and used a grant to help ensure it was fully stocked as well as offering delivery to those in self isolation.

Exeter. Exeter Citizens Advice was able to purchase equipment in order to offer its free advice service, for which demand grew rapidly, remotely.

Scott Walker commented: “Thank you once again to Devon Freemasons for their generous and continued support. This donation further enables Devon Community Foundation to help support local groups that are doing vital work in our communities. Now more than ever they have proved to be essential to the well-being of residents who are most in need and to the bringing together of communities as a whole.”