Paignton Freemasons in much-needed cash boost to good causes

Members of a Paignton Freemasons' Lodge have provided much-needed cash boosts to two good causes.

Both Rowcroft Hospice and Woodside Animal Welfare Trust have received donations from Courtland Masonic Lodge.

A ladies' banquet evening hosted by W. Bro Steve Almond and his partner, Patricia, at the Redcliff Hotel in November raised £1,000 for Rowcroft.

Steve Almond and Phil Greenway, charity steward of Courtland Lodge, presented the £1,000 cheque to Debbie Shotton, community fundraising manager at Rowcroft.

The Freemasons of Devonshire and their London headquarters, the Masonic Charitable Foundation (MCF), are long-term supporters of Rowcroft Hospice and, including donations made by many of the 124 lodges in Devon and in conjunction with the MCF, have donated more than £107,000 since 2000.

Debbi Shotton said: “We are so grateful for the continued support of the Freemasons. We care for over 2,000 patients and their loved ones every year across the 300 sq miles of South Devon. In addition to our inpatient unit, our specialist palliative care nurses and community teams visit patients in their own homes, providing care and compassion where it is needed the most.

“It currently costs over £8million to run Rowcroft’s extensive services and we must raise over 70 per cent ourselves. We rely heavily on the incredible generosity of the local community and organisations such as the Freemasons."

Meanwhile, members of Courtland Lodge, who meet in Courtland Road near Victoria Park in Paignton, presented £350 to Woodside kennel supervisor Cora Harvey.

The cheque was presented by Phil Greenway, who was accompanied by David Froud, both of whom own rescue dogs themselves - many other members of the Lodge are or have been members of the services and include dog handlers.

The donation will be spent on food for dogs being cared for by Woodside Animal Welfare Trust in Elfordleigh, near Plymouth.

The trust is recording the highest number of animals in their care since before the Covid pandemic. There are currently 192 animals being cared for.

Carole Bowles, who founded the trust 40 years ago, said the increase is 'very worrying' and suggested it is due to the cost-of-living crisis.

The trust is run mainly by volunteers but still incurs huge costs for veterinary care and food needed by the dogs, cats, rabbits, guinea pigs, sheep, pigs and other animals in the trust's animal sanctuary.

Carole also said the rising number of small and large animals at the shelter is one of their biggest concerns as they count for over half the number of intakes. She also said from the sanctuary's own experience, and from looking at national statistics, rabbits continue to be one of the most neglected pets.

If the intake increases further, Carol said the sanctuary will 'struggle' both financially and with space which is what inspired the members of Courtland Lodge to make their donation.