Inverness masonic lodge supports charity fundraiser
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An army veteran who embarked on a mammoth fundraiser last year has seen his charity bid boosted by a £1000 donation from the local masonic lodge.
John Baillie (80) is aiming to raise £15,000 to support armed forces veterans charity Erskine, and a donation of £1000 from RWM John I Mackay and the Old Inverness Kilwinning Lodge of Free Masons has brought him to a total of £14,871.
For his challenge Mr Baillie visited various locations, including Tesco at the Inshes Retail Park in October last year, to row a total of 5 million metres – the equivalent of crossing the Atlantic – for the charity.
Donations are collected though John's Rowing the Atlantic page on Just Giving.
He said: "I thank the RWM John I Mackay and Brethren of Old Inverness Kilwinning Lodge of Free Masons No. VI for the very generous donation.
"This will support my Atlantic Row for Erskine Veterans and the new Erskine activity centre in Forres at the old Leanchoil hospital.
"We greatly appreciate this donation and it is so humbling for me to receive such a donation."
He also thanked everyone else who has supported him and Erskine Veterans.
John, a former Tesco employee, is a Bosnia veteran and served with the 2nd Battalion 251 Highland Division and 3 Highlanders Army Reserve.
Mr Baillie's other fundraising efforts have included raising £25,000 for causes such as Comic Relief, the Children’s Hospice Association Scotland and the local shinty club in Inverness.
