Eurobike 2006 - Cycle for Charity

Malcolm Birchall, Middlesex Charity Steward, took time out from his busy day job during July to complete a mammoth bike ride across Europe all in the name of charity.  Malcolm said, “The support simply mushroomed and Eurobike 2006 became a major fund-raising effort for six Masonic and non-Masonic charities spread across three Masonic Provinces.”

The bike ride started in Germany and continued across Austria to Vienna, where Malcolm met up with his son-in-law, Andreas Pantazis.  Together they cycled through Slovakia and into Hungary, where the ride finished in Budapest.  Malcolm and Andreas met up with Richard Lyon, the Secretary of the Grand Lodge of Hungary. In all, Malcolm had cycled nearly 500 miles, much of it alone and in very hot temperatures.

Between them, Malcolm and Andreas raised sponsorship in excess of £17,000. However, no expenses will be taken out of the sponsorship raised from EuroBike 2006 and the RMBI Festival 2009 should receive in excess of £4,300 in sponsorship and GiftAid.

On presenting the cheque to  the RMBI, Malcolm said, “I am delighted to have been involved in this project and I believe that we can learn from Eurobike 2006 that we can work together with non-Masons in our fund raising efforts so that Freemasonry can truly be seen to be active in the local community.”

Michael Birchall and Andreas Pantazis reach the end.  

Other charities to benefit from Eurobike 2006 are The Royal Masonic Trust for Girls and Boys, East Anglian Air Ambulance, East Anglian Children’s Hospices, Marie Curie Cancer Care and Friends of Diss Health Centre.