Masons raise thousands for prostate cancer after 100 mile charity tandem cycle

Alistair Marshall, Master of the Provincial Grand Lodge of Stirlingshire and Adam Gaines, director of Prostate Scotland took part in the sponsored cycle on their yellow tandem. They received support from cyclists of varying abilities and volunteers. In all they visited 23 lodges in a 100-mile cycle. These included Loch Lomond and Balfron in the West, seven in Clackmannanshire, four in Stirling and the remainder around the Falkirk area.

Despite terrible weather there was elation when the cyclists safely arrived at their final stop - the premises of Lodge Bannockburn Bruce and Thistle where Lodge Stirling Royal Arch also meet.

Alistair Marshall said: “This was a super achievement by members of lodges across the Province and even some non-Masons took part. They started in torrential rain on Saturday and as soon as they finished on Sunday afternoon the sun came out.”

Adam Gaines, director of Prostate Scotland, said: “This is a very humbling experience and we are very grateful to all the lodges who took part this year. We are also receiving tremendous support from fellow masons the length and breadth of Scotland and events like this raise the profile not only of our charity but of prostate related illnesses which for too long were not discussed.”

Next month the cyclists will take part in a degree ceremony in Denny on November 11 to conclude the fund raising and hope to exceed the previous total.