Women v Cancer JOGLE Challenge Huge Success and Raises Money in the process

Parachute
Regiment
Lodge
9315

WHAT IS FREEMASONRY?

One of the oldest secular social and charitable organisations in the world, modern Freemasonry’s roots lie in the traditions of the medieval stonemasons who built our castles and cathedrals…

The lodge has held several social events such as witnessing the Tower of London Keys ceremony a lady’s festival at a hotel usually outside of London that provides opportunity for our families to enjoy the company that these types of events provide. Importantly we maintain links with the regiment and serving soldiers.

EVENTS

Delve into the rich traditions of Freemasonry as we gather to celebrate our shared values and principles

WHERE WE MEET

Our meetings are held on the 1st Saturday of March, June, September and December, at 60 Great Queen Street, London WC2B 5AZ. they usually start at 11am thus providing members ample time to travel to London to join the meetings. The June meeting is the installation meeting.

ABOUT

The Parachute Regiment Lodge was consecrated on 5th June 1989. Though named for our Regiment the decision was taken not to restrict membership to serving or former members, though the majority do fit that criteria. Our membership is drawn from a wide range of military, security and civilian backgrounds who all adopt our ethos, to be the best in all that we do…

ARENA

Engage in enlightening discussions, partake in meaningful rituals, and forge lasting connections with fellow brethren

On the 8th September this year, 30 brave (or crazy) ladies started the epic cycling challenge that is John O’Groats to Lands End (JOGLE). They came from all parts of the UK, and from overseas (Portugal and USA). Some of them had met briefly at a training weekend earlier in the year, but many had never met before. Despite this, it was immediately apparent that the journey would be an amazing adventure, with lots of laughs and lots of support from each other, as they all aimed for the biggest challenge they had ever considered, to raise funds and awareness for women’s cancers. Every penny that they raised would benefit 3 charities, Ovarian Cancer Action, Breast Cancer Care and Jo’s Trust. All had their own personal reasons to do this. Many of the women were taking on the challenge to celebrate surviving their own cancer, or were doing it to remember loved ones.

Over the next 12 days they cycled an average of 85 miles a day, through all weathers, and probably more rain and wind than they all would have liked. Getting up at 5.30am every morning, they entered they called the ‘JOGLE Bubble’. It really was a case of Eat, Sleep, Ride, Repeat. They rode for 10 – 11 hours a day, passing amazing scenery, climbing some very steep hills and descending some, at times, scary descents. Every day they met amazing, generous people, who supplied them with cakes, lunch, tea and most importantly, support to keep them going. Surprisingly there were very few punctures or mechanical incidents to hold them up, and although many of them suffered with tiredness, aches and pain and some minor injuries throughout the journey, nothing seemed insurmountable as they all supported each other right to the very end.

Highlights of the trip included, the isolated beauty of John O’Groats, visiting the Commando Memorial at Spean Bridge, climbing over Shap Fell (which went on forever), crossing over iconic bridges including the Erskine Bridge and the Clifton Suspension Bridge, Cheddar Gorge, and finally arriving in Lands End, in the dark and fog.

As a group they had raised over £125,000 for the three charities.

Katie Kingham who took part in memory of her Auntie Heather commented : For me it was a challenge of a lifetime, and I am incredibly proud of have been able to support these wonderful charities in such a positive way. I am so grateful to everyone who supported me and particular thanks must go to Bloomsbury Rifles Lodge No.2362 for their generous donation, which has helped me reach an amazing total of £4,600.