Welcome Back to Mission Control

Let me say a huge thank you to those who have donated this week and a big shout-out goes to; Daniel Taylor, Karen Hall, Steve Thompson, Elliot Taylor, Luke Taylor, Andrew Koropisz and John Timperley all of whom have funded this week’s rides.

I have cycled 95 miles and oh boy my legs are aching now, I even got a cramp whilst riding today. This is proving to be a real challenge!!</span

Today I want to talk about two things;

  1. There is a belief that the money we raise goes to London and not to local charities. That simply isn’t true and in fact we receive more than double the amount we donate back again. Our festival target is £2.4M (which is challenging but achievable) and from the start of one festival to another we receive well more than £5M – yes over £5M – that’s not a typo. I cannot think of a more convincing argument for supporting the festival and I hope everyone will share that nugget of information
  2. recently had the pleasure of visiting Age Concern Blackburn with Darwen who successfully applied to the MCF for a grant of £60K to run a Memory Makers project.

It offers weekly sessions for people with mild to moderate dementia by providing cognitive stimulation activities.
Dementia is on the increase and there is a projected increase of 35% of people who will be living with the disease by 2030.

Memory Makers benefits both those who are suffering and their carers too. The programme is already delivering three sessions per week. It’s a great project and it was a pleasure to meet such an enthusiastic and caring team – well done to Vicky

Shepherd, Elaine Jennings and the whole of their brilliant team. Keep up the good work.

This is just one of many ways money we raise is spent on good causes locally.
As for my challenge – Please keep the donations coming – the more you donate the harder I have to work!!

Watch out for the next update and for my next video log too. If there are any aspects of our fundraising you would like me to cover just let me know.

I now have a link on the Festival page of our East Lancashire Freemasons website – please see the attached photo or just follow the link;

https://eastlancashirefreemasons.org/miles-more-festival-fundraising-supporting-our-east-lancashire-2026-festival-2/ 

Or use the QR code;

You can even see my rides on Strava too – why not follow me?

Follow John on strava