Masons raise 100k in a day for Charity

Scottish Freemasons, friends and ladies from 14 masonic provinces from all over Scotland accepted a Zipslide Challenge issued to them to be in Glasgow on 14 May to zipslide across the River Clyde to raise funds for Prostate Scotland. Glasgow produced stunning weather for the event when over 170 freemasons, friends and ladies were joined by a large and enthusiastic crowd of supporters who created a festival atmosphere as they took their challenge across the Clyde to the west of the Finnieston Crane to raise money for the charity.

They were supporting the Grand Master Mason’s nominated charity, Prostate Scotland, a registered charity in Scotland (No. SC037494) seeking to raise awareness in men of prostate disease and prostate cancer. Through the Grand Lodge of Scotland scottish freemasons have supported the charity and given more than £100,000 in the last two years to support production and printing of literature, booklets and pamphlets on prostate disease to be produced and freely distributed to the public.

Tom Davidson, a spokesman for the Steering Committee consisting of representatives of five provinces around Glasgow, said “When we set out planning for this event, we set a target of raising £40k for the charity, we have received such strong support from the brethren and friends that we have more than doubled that figure and raised over £100,000 in just one day. We may be able to increase this when all the money is collected in. We have had male and female participants supporting this event, aged from sixteen to eighty one years of age. My thanks go out to all who have helped and contributed to our sponsored event.

Freemasons have in the past always sought to carry out their charitable work quietly and without seeking publicity however the other very important objective of the event was to make more men aware and understand this type of disease and that cannot be achieved without publicity.

This is just one of a number of events and initiatives being planned this year by freemasons over Scotland to raise much needed funds for this charity”

Adam Gaines, the Director of Prostate Scotland said ‘We would like to thank all the Provincial Grand Lodges and Lodges across Scotland and the many men and women who have taken part in the Zipslide challenge to raise such a huge amount of in aid of Prostate Scotland. This magnificent donation will be a tremendous and significant help towards the Prostate Scotland Blue Horizon Robot Appeal to help bring about and support robot assisted prostate cancer surgery programmes in the east and west of Scotland.  This huge amount will help bring the conclusion of our Appeal that much closer- we are deeply grateful. 

On behalf of Prostate Scotland I would also like to record our sincere thanks for all that the Freemasons across Scotland are doing to support Prostate Scotland and the cause of tackling prostate cancer and disease, helping enable more men and their families to be reached with information and advice’.

 

Further information can be obtained from

Tom Davidson – Tel. 01698 or 07913 813383 – e-mail td.dalziel@virgin.net