THREE Teignbridge charities have received a welcome festive boost thanks to a share of £30,000 distributed by Devon Freemasons.

The Alice Cross Centre in Teignmouth, Bovey Tracey Youth Cafe and Starcross Dons Youth football club are among 20 groups and organisations in the county to be awarded funding through the Devon Freemasons Wake Fund.

Twice a year, Freemasons from across Devon meet to support local organisations which need financial help including children’s charities, schools, youth centres and locally based charities including hospices, hospital services and cancer charities.

The money is raised through a trust conceived by William Alexander Kneel, the Devonshire Provincial Grand Master from 1970 to 1984, the late owner of Kneels laundry and dry cleaners, now Johnsons.

Today the fund stands at £2.3 million from which trustees distribute the income generated.

Anthony Eldred, Devonshire Freemasons Charity Steward said: ‘It was once again a great pleasure to welcome charities and community groups for the second of our annual charity distributions this year.’

Provincial Grand Master of Devonshire Freemasons Nicholas Ball said: ‘To be able to support small local charities who do so much for our communities is very special.’

The Alice Cross Centre in Teignmouth received £1,500.

As a small charity, it is a community hub providing health and wellbeing for about 400 people a week of all ages and is an important centre for Teignmouth, the Lodge said.

Bovey Tracey Youth Cafe also received £1,500 for its help and support to young people and provision of leisure activities.

Operating Monday to Thursday, it is a base for around 40 young people a week.

Also in receipt of £1,500 was Starcross Dons Youth football club.

Founded in 2018, the village club’s youth section currently has 300 members in 22 teams with the recent formation of a girls team.

The Freemasons donation will go towards the creation of a cafe on the sports ground.