Report and photo: Barry Dickinson

Freemasons from the Wigan area were joined by colleagues from Leigh, Warrington, Eccles, Trafford, Ormskirk and Liverpool lodges on an organized fundraising holiday for 5 days in Scotland.

And together with their friends and partners they raised a total of £7500 by a series of raffles, bingo and a sponsored walk around the River Ericht and the surrounding countryside of Blairgowrie, Perthshire.

The 200 participants had a fun filled week of outings and entertainment, but the serious side was the walk, sponsorship coming from their lodges back in the North West.

The money raised is destined for the Masonic Charitable Foundation, which is a charity funded by Freemasons, their families and friends, from across England and Wales.

The Masonic Charitable Foundation awards millions of pounds each year to local and national charities. Recent awards in the area have included support for medical research, care for the blind, help to prevent suicide as well as individual awards to each of the hospices in the region.

Tony Harrison of West Lancashire Freemasons said: “West Lancashire Freemasons are making a special effort to support the Masonic Charitable Foundation over the next year, and I’m pleased that enjoying a holiday and good company can be combined with supporting really worthwhile causes” Pictured are participants in the sponsored walk by the River Ericht.