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Freemasonry has supported BBC’s Radio One DJ Greg James’ 1000km Challenge for Red Nose Day.

To make the event more of a spectacle, the Widows Sons MBA have provided almost 100 bikes to escort Greg around the Three Counties showground in Malvern; ably assisted by the PGM of Herefordshire, RW Michael Holland, and W Bro Del Padmore, Asst PGM for Worcestershire. They kindly agreed to conduct the official presentation of the cheque on behalf of UGLE and the Widows Sons (and also rode their own bikes onto the ground).  Those attending sported Red Noses for the cameras.

The escort was the brainchild of Bro Dean Jackson MBE, who enlisted the help of W Bro Paul Hitchcock, both of Burlington Lodge No 6736. As they worked on ways to support the Red Nose appeal, they saw the potential for the Widows Sons Masonic Bikers Association to help to promote Freemasonry as a force for good and to raise its profile as a community focused charitable organisation nationally, rather than the local appeals we so well support, but never get recognition for. Said Paul, “Dean mentioned to me that he was working on some stuff regarding the Radio 1 Challenge for this year’s Comic Relief. He said wouldn’t it be great if we could get a load of Widows Sons on motorbikes involved? Being a member I said, I’m sure we can do that!”

Lodges, HRA Chapters, associated orders and WSMBA Chapters all responded to the challenge – we do not have a total yet as funds are still coming in, but it represents a sizeable donation.

You can donate digitally at https://gtap.uk/e1072 – this will donate via a Relief Chest with the Masonic Charities Fund, which qualifies for the extra 25% gift aid for every applicable donation. Please use the appeal name “Red Nose Day”.

This article is part of Arena Magazine Issue 60 – Spring 2026.
Arena Magazine is the official online magazine of the London Freemasons – Metropolitan Grand Lodge and Metropolitan Grand Chapter of London.

Read more articles in Arena Issue 60 here.

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