Prostate Cancer Research Supported by Central Otago Freemasons in Partnership with The Freemasons Charity 

The project was initially instigated by brethren of  Lodge Teviot No 148 , the link with the Freemasons Live Life Lighter Programme was forged and very soon other lodges were keen to  participate and in a relatively short time an Otago Lakes District Project was in full swing.

The main event was a sponsored “Walk, Bike, Run,” Family Fun Day, utilising the Rail Trail from both directions with a concluding BBQ meal provided for all participants and supporters at the Omakau Domain.

Copies of the New Zealand Diabetes Cookbook by Simon and Allison Holst were on sale at the event all proceeds to go to Prostate Cancer Research.

Brethren in the district did a marvellous marketing job prior to the event.

The event was officially launched at a” Health Nite” at the Alexandra District Club with speakers Dr Christopher Jackson and Dr John North giving participants a month prior to the event to organise a team and sponsorship.

 Brochures were placed in public facilities, hotels and businesses throughout the whole area. Sponsorship Pledge forms with a map of the Trail printed on the back page were circulated as well.

Local people really came out in force to support the project not only by actively participating in the event but also in very creative ways. Local Highland Pharmacy owner Alistair Forbes of Roxburgh installed a bike on rollers outside the shop and he and his staff took it in turns to pedal for donations. They kept the bike going from 9 am to 5pm on the day of the event raising about $400 for the event.

Such was the level of local commitment.

Local people were encouraged to enter the walk at any stage to suit their level of mobility, to walk, run or bike.
Letters were sent out to all School Principals in the area with a colouring competition templateand entry form to encourage the younger members of the community to participate in a fun day.

Following the approach from Otago Lakes Benevolence Officer Les Brenssell on behalf of the District and with support of Southern Division Grand Almoner Cedric Cole The Freemasons Charity was pleased to be able to offer support to the Otago Lakes District in the project.

As a result of a lot of hard work from Otago Lakes brethren and local community members a cheque for just over $ 20,000 was presented in mid- February  to the Head of Oncology Research at Otago District Health Board Dr Christopher Jackson who said the sizeable donation would  allow provision of clinical trials of this cutting edge technology for advanced prostate cancer by the end of 2010, giving access to the treatment locally in Dunedin for the first time.

 “Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men and results in significant morbidity and mortality,” Dr Jackson said. “Therefore we are extremely grateful to the Central Otago Freemasons for this donation which will benefit patients across the whole Otago Southland region.”

March 2010