Nicks’ Wild 2024 Challenge
Our Provincial Grand Charity Steward Nick Wild is planning to walk a total of 2024 miles in support of the Cheshire 2024 festival.
Nick will be walking the hills in England and Wales and the mountains and glens of Scotland, and you’re invited to support him by sponsoring him on his fantastic challenge
On Tuesday 26th July, Senior Mark Masons Austin Bamber and John Miller, accompanied by a team of acting officers attended Ashton and District Mark Lodge TI, in Dukinfield, to “make good ” on an earlier promise to attend the Lodge that had been postponed and rearranged, largely due to the Pandemic restrictions.
They also welcomed a delegation from the Province of East Lancashire headed by David Rainford Deputy PGM, David Thompson APGM and Kevin Reaney APGM, and were made very welcome by the Lodge and treated to a short version of the interesting and colourful History of the Lodge by member John Forbes, which was very well received.
Cheshire Mark Masons deliver much needed supplies to Ukraine.
Mike Ross and his team supporting Ukraine.
Cheshire Freemason Mike Ross and Mark APGM John Miller were pleased to visit Neo Community who hearing about the humanitarian aid planned and organised by Mike Ross, wished to assist by donating essential food and supplies for the Ukrainian orphanage that is being supported.
The Team, which sets off in a few days, were further boosted by a generous donation of £50 towards the Mark Benevolent fund, who have already donated £10,000 to buy the mini bus, by a member of the public Tom Hobbs, who was visiting Neo Community, and heard of the endeavour, and wished to support it.
Kayak Challenge – the final word
On behalf of the Organising team, and indeed the Charities, may I thank everyone who has supported and donated to the event which has just raised the magnificent sum of £15,000.00, for the Mark Benevolent Fund, and our 2024 Festival.
This is over and beyond everyone’s expectations, and just goes to show what can be achieved when a group of Masons from across the province, work together as a team in support of a worthy cause.
We look forward to your support and hopefully participation on several inclusive events we have planned during the remainder of the festival (and beyond), when we can once again demonstrate “the magic of the Mark”.
John Miller
APGM and Deputy Festival Chairman
Mark Benevolent Fund- helping those in need
During their recent trip to provide humanitarian aid to the Ukraine by supplying much needed Ambulances and medical supplies to the Ukraine, which was partially funded by the Mark Benevolent Fund, Cheshire Mark Mason Mike Ross visited an orphanage in Chernivtsi, and was struck by their plight, and need for a minibus to transport the children to the nearest hospital some 30 miles away, and if needs be, to assist with any future evacuation that may be required.
Mike was so moved by their need and the conditions they faced, that he promised to do what he could on his return, and immediately started a new appeal to purchase a suitable minibus, and again taking Humanitarian aid and supplies to deliver it as soon as possible to where it was urgently required.
Following a further request for aid from the Mark Benevolent fund, he was overwhelmed to have quickly received a further grant of £10,000.00 towards the costs of providing the minibus, the target for which has now been met, with any excess funds going to providing suitable supplies for the orphanage in question.
Mike is now rapidly making arrangements to put his plan into action, and hopes to again make the journey into the Ukraine, in the next week or two, and we look forward to news on his progress.
Raising the Flag to The Queen at Masonic Halls around the Province of Cheshire.
On Saturday, the 28 May 2022 at the Annual General Meeting of the order of Royal & Select Masters, the Head of the order Bryan Hughes decided to have a collection in support of the Mark 2024 Festival, a fantastic amount of £500.00 was donated by the companions present and a cheque was presented to our PGM on the day.
Once again brethren, this shows what can be achieved when the orders work together and that the members of each order will come together to support each other.
We as Mark Men should continue to support the other orders as they have supported us.
Nick Wild our Provincial Grand Charity Steward has set myself a challenge to walk 2024 miles in support of our Mark Benevolent Fund Festival 2024.
He hopes to achieve this by walking in the Peak District Cheshire ,Derbyshire and Staffordshire Dark and White peaks starting on 4thJune 2022 and complete by 4th June 2024
The first walks being in Scotland mountains first 2 weeks in June 22
All his walks will be tracked and we can follow is progress via our website and Social Media.
We hope to be able if anyone wishes to join me if suitably equipped to walk 12+ miles in one go including the accents and descents.
We will post photos on each walk to show how lovely the area we live in and make all of you to get out walking