Eight Freemasons from Alford’s Hamilton Lodge and one each from Lindsey Lodge at Louth and Shakespeare Lodge at Spilsby have conquered the Three Peaks Challenge to put money into charities in Lincolnshire.
Accompanied by a non-masonic friend, they climbed the three highest peaks of Scotland, England and Wales in a fraction over the target time of 24 hours, but they didn’t stop them collecting £6,050 in the process.
They’ve shared the money raised between the Freemasons’ charity the MCF (via our Festival, £1,500); Bro Pro (£2,500); Naomi’s Garden (£1,050); and Cozy Kids (£1,000).
Bro Pro is a Spilsby-based organisation dedicated to creating and promoting a safe space in which men can meet, socialise, talk, and receive support.
Naomi’s Garden, at Manby, was set up in 2010 to provide a source of hope for children and adults with neurological disorders in Lincolnshire and the surrounding area.
Cozy Kids is the rebirth of an initiative started during the first Covid lockdown, when Hamilton Lodge members distributed duvets and pillows via food banks and the Freemasons themselves to Alford, Mablethorpe, Sutton and Trusthorpe in Tony O’Brien’s golden taxi. Because of the cost of living crisis, renewed efforts will see the donation being spent on micro fleece blankets for elderly members of the community.
The Three Peaks Challenge team was made up of Jamie Pittam, Colin Harpham, Robbie Hewson, Alan Burnip, Wade Price, and Philip Nelson (all from Hamilton Lodge); Tony O’Brien from Lindsey Lodge; Tony Marston from Shakespeare Lodge; and non-Masonic friend Stephen Backhouse.
Climbers taking on the Three Peaks must climb Scafell Pike in England; Snowdon in Wales, and Ben Nevis in Scotland.
Getting to the top of all three involves walking 23 miles and climbing more than 10,000 feet in the process – and the driving distance to get around all three is 462 miles.