Masonic Lodge backs Beckie's fundraising challenge

Thursday, July 16th 2020

Masons from the Sportsmen’s Lodge in Bristol have pledged £500 in support of Beckie White’s challenge to fund her own rugby sports wheelchair.

As social distancing restrictions began to lift and with several Bristol Bears fans within the lodge, several of its members were very keen to meet 21-year-old Beckie outside Ashton Gate and present her with the cheque

Having undertaken a five-day challenge, wheeling one mile per day in her self-propelled wheelchair on the Strawberry Line gravel path, Beckie was close to her grand fundraising total of £2,500 having initially set out to raise £1000 to give herself a fighting chance.

“I am so overwhelmed by the support and generosity of everyone who has helped me to reach my goal,” said Beckie.

“I never would have imagined how much people would get behind me - I feel very lucky and am now really excited about my future.”

With multiple physical disabilities connected to a difficult mental-health journey in her teenage years, Beckie has been a wheelchair user since the age of 17 – but has found a true passion and inspiration in wheelchair rugby in the last 12 months.

See Beckie’s Story here.

As the Bristol community, Bears supporter base and wider Bristol Sport network got behind the campaign to #BackBeckie, the men of the Sportsmen’s Lodge, in the Province of Bristol came forward to show their support for Beckie.

“Having supported the work of the wider group of charities based at Ashton Gate, including Bristol Sport Foundation and The Matthew Tree Trust, we became aware of Beckie’s challenge and her desire to change her own sporting future,” said Arthur Grannan, Worshipful Master of the Sportsmen’s Lodge.

“As a Sportsmen’s Lodge we feel it is important that we support local sporting charities and individuals. To hear Beckie’s story and to see her determination really spurred us into action. She is a remarkable young person, with such a supportive family. We are really pleased to be able to give her the support that she needs to be able to pursue her dreams.”

To find out more about the #Backbeckie campaign, supporting or joining Wheelchair Rugby contact Kris Tavender ktavender@bristolbearsrugby.com