The brethren of Benevolence Lodge No. 4035 have set their outgoing Worshipful Master, Ed Lee, a challenge before he leaves the Chair – and true to form, Ed has accepted in spectacular style.

On Friday 31st October and Saturday 1st November 2025, Ed will take on a gruelling duathlon of 230 kilometres, beginning at Freemasons’ Hall on Great Queen Street in London and finishing at the doors of Fisher House in Birmingham. The route is not for the faint-hearted: the cycle leg alone will see him ride through North London, Watford, Milton Keynes, Northampton and Warwick, before switching to running shoes for a marathon from Coventry to Selly Oak.

As Ed himself puts it, “all of this madness is in aid of a great charity.” That charity is Fisher House, a remarkable home-away-from-home for the families of servicemen and women receiving treatment at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Birmingham. When military personnel are injured abroad, they are flown directly into Birmingham Airport and taken straight to the QE to be cared for by some of the country’s leading trauma specialists. For their families, however, the journey can be long and costly. Fisher House offers them free accommodation just a short walk from their loved ones, creating a supportive community for those who share similar experiences.

To support the effort, Ed has launched a JustGiving page to raise funds for the Warwickshire Tercentenary Appeal, with all proceeds going to the Masonic Charitable Foundation in aid of Fisher House. He is also documenting his journey on Instagram, sharing training updates and rallying support under the handle @edrideandrun.

While sponsorship is at the heart of this challenge, Ed has also thrown out an open invitation to brethren who may wish to join him for training sessions. Whether you’re looking to improve your fitness or simply want to offer moral support along the way, you’ll be more than welcome.

This promises to be a memorable and meaningful farewell to the Chair for Ed – one that combines personal endurance with Masonic charity, and one that will make a real difference to the families of those who serve.

To find out more or to sponsor Ed’s challenge, visit his JustGiving page here:
Queen Street to Fisher House Challenge.