There was much to celebrate at the cheque presentation.
FREEMASONS in Ross and Cromarty have cycled and rowed their way to an £11,000 boost for a charity close to their hearts.
The Grand Lodge of Scotland has been inching closer to a £1million target for Prostate Scotland to assist the charity provide information, advice and help on prostate health.
Half of men can expect to have some form of prostate issue with one in 10 likely to develop prostate cancer.
A rowing session in Tesco in Dingwall turned heads and raised more cash for the charity.
Earlier this year, the Grand Master Mason, Ramsay McGhee, who lives on the Black Isle, launched the Make it a Million appeal. The Provincial Grand Master of the Province of Ross and Cromarty, Raymond MacKeddie, urged the members of the twelve lodges in the area to support the challenge, joined for stretches along the way by colleagues.
Mr MacKeddie led the challenge by cycling around the Province of Ross and Cromarty to each of the twelve lodges, some 260 miles in total. The ‘crossing’ of the Minch was ingeniously resolved by Lodge Fingal in Dingwall whose members rowed the equivalent on a static exercise machine in the local Tesco, distributing awareness information to shoppers at the same time.
Ian MacLaren did his bit while having dialysis.
Ian MacLaren, who was receiving hospital treatment, cycled on his exercise bike in Raigmore Hospital whilst receiving thrice weekly dialysis.
Members also raised funds through a raffle for the Grand Master Mason’s choice malt whisky, gin and vodka, signed by the Grand Master Mason himself.
Ann McGhee with (l-r) Mike Turner, Donald Ferguson and Raymond MacKeddie.
Raymond MacKeddie presented a cheque for £11,050 to the Grand Master Mason, Ramsay McGhee, surrounded by many of the members of the Provincial Grand Lodge of Ross and Cromarty. The grand total now stands at £985,000.