On the morning of Saturday 1st October 2016, a group of thirty five walkers of a variety of ages (and three pushchairs) met up in the rain by City Hall in Potters Fields Park before setting off on a course that would cover just over seven miles, and take them over eight London bridges. The sponsored walk was organised by Demi Pendakis, Steve Banks and Tim Spriggs who are all members of the Metropolitan Grand Stewards Lodge, and wanted to do something to support Metropolitan Grand Lodge’s commitment to donate £2m for a second Air Ambulance for London.
From left to right: Tim Spriggs, Demi Pendakis and Steve Banks who organised the event
The event was designed to be family friendly, and to take place in the heart of the area covered by London’s Air Ambulance to highlight the great work that they do. The walkers consisted of 8 London Masons with some of their family and friends, as well as a group who had been put in touch with the walk organisers by London’s Air Ambulance themselves, as the mother of one of the group had been treated by the Air Ambulance earlier in September, and she wanted to know what they could do to support the charity.
As the day wore on and the miles and bridges passed by, the weather improved and the group could be seen making their way along the footpaths next to the Thames while singing songs and shaking their collection buckets which raised a further £200 from the generosity of London’s citizens. In the early afternoon, the group made it back to the finish point near Tower Bridge where they sat down and had a celebratory drink while resting their weary feet.
The organisers would like to thank those who took part in the walk, as well as all those who kindly sponsored them. At the time of writing, this event has raised over £10,000 for London’s Air Ambulance, though if anyone else would like to donate, please do so here.