I have created this page because I want to make a difference. At present, I support a number of local and national charities. My inspiration for taking on this challenge is, in part, in memory of my dear friend and fellow Mark Master Mason Keith Pauling.

Keith had a passion for walking, and particularly the Thames Path. Keith’s love of the Thames led him to write and publish “Thames Pathway”, a walking guide to the Thames Path, which is still available on Amazon. As Provincial Grand Master of the Mark Province of Oxfordshire, I have the honour of hosting the Mark Benevolent Fund (MBF) Annual Festival 2025. I want to raise as much money for the Festival as possible as part of my leading role in Oxfordshire Mark Masonry.

This wonderful charity is a national charity with a huge local impact. It is a grant-giving charity assisting many other smaller charities throughout the country and abroad, including substantial grants to countries that have experienced national emergencies such as Turkey and Ukraine, and locally within Oxfordshire by way of grants to smaller charities, good causes and individuals. Unlike many other charities, the MBF can act very quickly and release funds to those in need in a very short time frame.

My Challenge over five days (8th - 12th July) will start from Banbury on 8th July, I will walk along the Oxford Canal towpath to central Oxford, where I will transfer to the Thames pathway. I will then walk from central Oxford to Henley along the towpath. I will complete the 50+ mile walk (hopefully) over 5 days. I hope and indeed invite members of Oxfordshire Freemasons to join me en route.

I and my team, both here and on other social media outlets, will allow everyone to follow my progress (or lack of it!). Please help me help the MBF, by giving whatever you can using the 'Donate' button. The more people that know about this cause the better, and the greater will be their impact in awarding grants. So please spread the word by sharing my page with your friends and family. Thank you in advance for your generosity, it really does mean a lot to me and all those charities, good causes and individuals which will ultimately benefit!

If you are a taxpayer, please also tick the gift aid button which means the Charity is able to claim an additional 25% from the Government on top of your donation.

Finally before you go, if you have visited my page out of pure interest and you are not currently a Freemason (Male or Female) but you are interested in what we do in the community and would like to find out more, why not leave me a message and email me at; OxfordshireMark@pm.me, I will do my very best to open the door of Freemasonry and a whole new world to you.

You can also follow us at: https://twitter.com/oxfordshiremark/, https://www.instagram.com/oxfordshiremark/, or https://www.facebook.com/OxfordshireMark/. You can also visit our Festival website at: https://www.oxonmbf2025.org.uk/

Likewise, if you are a Freemason but haven't as yet taken the next step of Advancement to become a Mark Master Mason, drop me a line.