Brother Derek Robertson Worshipful Junior Warden of Lodge Bannockburn Bruce and Thistle No 312 has raised over £30,000 for Prostate (Scotland) by walking 150 miles around the Province of Stirlingshire.

Derek set out to raise £10,000 for the charity, to encourage men to get the simple PSA blood test at their GP and to spread the word about the good works of the craft and to achieve this while managing his own chronic health conditions. Grand Lodge of Scotland and Scottish Freemasons have already raised over £1.2 million for Prostate (Scotland).

Derek, accompanied by lots of brethren and friends, was piped off on his journey from Lodge Bannockburn on 23 April and piped home again on his return on Saturday 3 May. His walk took him from Drymen to Dollar and from Bridge of Allan to Kincardine and Polmont stopping off at all 23 Lodges in the Province on the way. On the walk passersby and shoppers were given information leaflets about prostate cancer.

Lodges and brethren mobilised across the province raising money from whisky tastings, cabaret nights, quiz nights, raffles, auctions and a dance day. Local companies like Lou Mac Fitness and Kilgannon Motors, to national organisations like Tesco and Slater Menswear gave of their time and resources to support the endeavour.

Derek uncovered different approaches from GPs to the PSA test. He explained, “It’s tough enough for men in at risk groups to come forward for testing. I know from speaking to many men over the last six months that some GPs welcome enquiries. It’s unfortunate that others put up barriers. Indeed some are mistaken by refusing a test if an at risk man has no symptoms. A close friend of mine since childhood died from it, having previously displayed no symptoms. I hope that this inconsistency will change. I wrote to General Practitioners Scotland in March and hope to get a reply.”

Of the walk itself, Derek commented, “It was an amazing adventure planning and carrying out this charitable endeavour. I’ve seen central Scotland up close and been reminded how beautiful it is and I’ve witnessed freemasons doing what they do best in rising to a charity challenge.”

Brother Richard Kerry, Master of Lodge Bannockburn Bruce and Thistle No. 312, commented, "The Bannockburn brethren immediately got behind Derek's charity endeavour and supported him throughout. It's been hugely positive to see how the focus on prostate cancer has raised awareness, leading to actions by men across the central belt. What’s amazing too is that this effort is addition to not instead of the charities the province’s lodges already support.”

Morag Idan, of Prostate Scotland, who was presented with the cheque at a social event in Lodge Bannockburn said, “We are amazed at the generosity of everyone who donated and so thankful for the effort that Derek has gone to in organising this event. The funds he has raised will contribute to the work we are planning to raise awareness of prostate cancer and disease with men living in the more deprived or rural communities in Scotland so that they speak to their GPs earlier and more diagnosis of prostate cancer are made at an earlier stage.”

Derek's Route

Below are a selection of photos taken during Derek's walk.

 

Derek Starting off from Lodge Bannockburn with the assistance of friends and a piper	Derek reaches the Kelpies
Derek passing the Falkirk Wheel
	Derek met some rain in Balfron
Derek at the David Stirling Monument out of Balfron
Another spectacular view of the Hillfoots	Derek gets a pep talk at Alva
One of many cheque presentations	Passing over Kincardine Bridge
The walkers on the final day
Derek gets piped back home to Bannockburn
The cheque presentation to Prostate Scotland at Lodge Bannockburn Bruce and Thistle