Charity walker reaches Guernsey

Saturday 14 September 2024

A charity walk around Guernsey this weekend will include pre-curry drinks at the Golden Lion and dinner at Sitar.

Freemason Chris Jones has been busy ticking the Channel Islands off his list this week as he walks around the British Isles raising money for the Masonic Charitable Foundation.

Each year the Foundation gives money to various charities with local good causes such as Autism Guernsey, the Cardiac Action Group, Ernie's Angels, Guernsey Alzheimers, and Guernsey Sea Cadets among those benefiting in recent years.

Mr Jones started his 7,000mile charity walk on New Year's Day with the aim of raising £100,000. 

He said that the trek around the coastline of the UK and nearby islands was intended to help clear his mind of mental health issues. 

His journey has been planned to take in visits to as many Masonic centres as possible too - with brotherhood at the heart of the Freemasons society.

Pictured: Members of the Guernsey Sea Cadets with Provincial Grand Master Keith Read receiving a cheque in 2020.

"I’m very open about my struggle with my mental health and this is the main focus of this challenge," Mr Jones has previously explained.

"I have suffered with poor mental health for about 10 years and the very lowest points have cost days and sometimes weeks of my life contemplating suicide and an escape from the misery.

"I’ve no idea why or exactly when it started, but back in 2020 I was at my very lowest and my wife Michelle eventually convinced me to seek help. I contacted the NHS and started a counselling programme, but it was hopeless. The Mental Health team was overworked and counselling sessions were often cancelled or moved at the last minute.

"I can’t remember why I was looking at the MCF website, but I noticed a link to a Mental Health Support programme. I called the number, and 35 minutes later I received a call back from a mental health specialist and we talked for over an hour.

"She set me up on a counselling programme and I don’t have any doubt that her persistence, understanding and thoroughness saved my life. The programme lasted for about six weeks and to this day I still use some of the techniques I learnt to try and help when I feel my mood changing and I sense the ‘big black dog’ appearing.

"I had no idea that the MCF even offered a support programme. How many other Freemasons are even aware that there is such a fantastic support programme open to them if they need it? I’m guessing very few."

Mr Jones was in Jersey earlier this week before arriving in Guernsey on Friday.

While here, Mr Jones is meeting with members of the Guernsey and Alderney Freemasons.

Some may join him on his coastal walk around the island, during which he will be carrying his backpack with his vital belongings in.

Mr Jones can collect donations as he is walking or they can be donated directly to the MCF via the #Lincs2025 Festival.