In the final fund-raising challenge for the Staffordshire 2024 Festival (a project to raise money for charity), a team of Freemasons from within Staffordshire took on the local 3 Peaks Challenge in the Staffordshire Moorlands and, in the process, raised over £12,000 for charity.
The distance of 18 miles was completed in 6 hours and 50 minutes (10 minutes inside the target time of 7 hours). The walk took in more than 2,800 feet of ascent. The team made the challenge more difficult by carrying packs of around 10kg each, the equivalent weight of the Festival 2024 executive and, therefore, the weight of Staffordshire literally on their shoulders for 'that extra mile' to raise vital funds for the Festival Appeal.
The Challenge set off at 7:00 am on Saturday, 27th July, from Stake Gutter Farm, on the A53 just before the Winking Man pub, to complete a circular route. The team of nine walked the entire distance linking each of the three recognised Staffordshire peaks of Oliver Hill (1,683 ft high), Cheeks Hill (the highest and most northerly point in Staffordshire, 1,710 ft is near its summit), and returned by traversing The Roaches (1,657 feet high) to complete the circuit which saw close to 3,000 feet of overall ascent. Each member carried their share of the additional weight to their standard kit for spending a day in the Peak District.
The team was led by the Deputy Head of Staffordshire Freemasons, David Thomas; the rest of the team was made up of the following;
David Thomas (Deputy Head of Staffordshire Freemasons) – St Modwens Lodge
John Derry (an Assistant Head of Staffordshire Freemasons) – Earl Shrewsbury Lodge
Paul Molley and Mark Tarpey – North Staffordshire Round Table Lodge
Phil Spencer-Gray – Ethelfleda Lodge
Laurence Bagguley – John O'Gaunt Lodge
Mark Duce – Streetly Lodge
Andy Thompson and Nick Dermott – Trent Lodge
Support Team
Michele Santopietro (Head of the Royal Arch in Staffordshire) – Minerva Lodge
Adrian Yearsley – John O'Gaunt Lodge
Robert Adams – Trent Lodge
Peter Nacson - North Staffordshire Round Table Lodge
David Thomas, the driving force behind the Challenge, said:
'I have been inspired by the commitment of the walking team to be out there in all weathers in the past couple of months. Our training routes over the Peak District have proved invaluable for this event, as well as learning or refreshing life skills in navigation, first aid and project management. We have newer Freemasons as well some 'old hands' taking part in this tremendous event which we anticipate will raise more than £12,000 for charity'.
Following the walk, everyone retired to The Reform Inn in nearby Thorncliffe for well-deserved refreshments. The money raised will be added to the considerable amount of money already raised for the Staffordshire Masonic Festival 2024 (the total amount to be announced later this year).
