16th July 2019

Alzheimer's Support is celebrating after being awarded £90,000 from Wiltshire Freemasons.

The donation from the Masonic Charitable Foundation will help meet the costs of more than 40 community groups, including singing, art, exercise, and gardening groups across the county.

The grant, which will be paid over three years, is funded by freemasons and their families and friends from across England and Wales.

Alzheimer’s Support Wiltshire CEO Babs Harris said: “We are thrilled and very grateful to the Freemasons for their generous grant that will secure the future of our much-needed and much-loved community groups. We can now plan and move forward in meeting the needs of local people living with dementia.  

"We know how much people value our community groups which help people stay active and connected in their communities. This is a significant grant for us and will make a real difference to Alzheimer's Support.”

Philip Bullock, Head of Wiltshire freemasons, said: “I’m very pleased we’ve been able to help Alzheimer’s Support, which does outstanding work in helping local people and their families remain actively involved in their communities and live fulfilling, productive and meaningful lives.”

David Davies, Deputy Provincial Grand Master, visited Movement for the Mind in Devizes to present a grant certificate and see for himself how the money will be spent.

'Dementia affects everyone'

He said: "I thoroughly enjoyed the class. It surprised me how much exercise the members did, considering that some of them must have been in their 80s, it felt like a proper workout."

"We decided to donate the money to Alzheimer's Support because dementia affects everyone in the community - rich, poor, young or old. All donations from the freemasons come out of our own pockets."

Our community groups