Freemason's 6,500-mile walk for mental health awareness

A Freemason from Lincolnshire who is hoping to raise £100,000 for the Masonic Charitable Foundation is heading through East Devon next week as part of his 6,500-mile walk around the British coastline.

Chris Jones started his 18-month-long walk in Skegness on January 1, 2023, and has covered 4,215 miles so far.

Chris has a touching reason for wanting to raise money for this charity.

Chris sought the help of the Masonic in 2020 after struggling with his mental health for many years.

Now, he wants to spread the word and inspire other people facing poor mental health to reach out for help.

Next week, he will begin the journey past Teignmouth before heading eastward to Exmouth and beyond.

On Saturday, August 24, Andy Vodden, the Assistant Provincial Grand Master of Devonshire, welcomed Chris at the Cremyll Ferry in Plymouth as he entered Devon for his second visit—the only county thus honoured due to its two coastlines.

Chris arrived with Philip Venning, Provincial Grand Mentor of Cornwall.

Upon his arrival, Chris was presented with a Devonshire provincial tie to ensure that he was properly dressed for the remainder of his journey through the region.

Above: Image: Chris Jones

The Province of Devonshire also contributed £500 towards his ambitious goal of raising £100,000, a target he is almost halfway to achieving having raised around £45,000 so far.

There will reportedly be a large auction at the end of his walk to help fill in any remaining deficit.

According to Chris, he is on his 5th pair of boots, having walked over 9 and a half million steps across the country. 

He is hoping to complete his journey in February 2025, with a somewhat less daunting 2000 miles remaining.

There may only be one other person who has ever attempted such a feat.

Chris said: “I’ve had 3 short breaks to travel home to fulfil some Masonic duties, but other than that, it’s been walking! The walk has been much like my emotions—lots of ups and downs! What I have discovered, though, is that I don't plan too far ahead—where to stop or camp, for example. Let's just see where I end up after a day walking; it’s so much more rewarding that way.”

Andy commented: “We took Chris and Phillip for breakfast at Elvira's, where we presented Chris with a cheque for £500. When Phil returned to Cornwall, we walked up to the Mount Edgcumbe Masonic Hall, then on to Plymouth Hoe.

"Chris was fascinated with all the monuments on the hoe and, of course, Smeaton’s Tower. I left Chris at Heybrook Bay to complete his day's walk to Wembury, where he was being picked up by an old friend he had not seen for over 30 years.

"What a super guy and great ambassador for Freemasonry and everything that is good and great in society today. We all wish him the very best as he progresses to complete his mega challenge.”

The Provincial Grand Lodge of Devonshire has encouraged East Devon locals to look out for, contact, or offer Chris hospitality as he passes through the county.

You can keep up to date with Chris’s journey through Facebook.