At the recent AGM of the Cambridgeshire Masonic Benevolent Association, Lodge Charity Stewards and Almoners were inspired by a presentation from Hayley Webb of Maggie’s Cambridge. A standout moment of the evening was the warm welcome given to Bro. Fergus Payne, who had recently completed the demanding 106km Isle of Wight Ultra Marathon, raising an impressive £9,000 in aid of the new Maggie’s Cambridge Cancer Support Centre.
Fergus’s motivation for undertaking the challenge stemmed from a deeply personal place. Maggie’s had been a sanctuary for his wife and her family following the terminal cancer diagnosis of her mother, Trish, at the age of just 45. Fergus also lost his grandfather Jim to bowel cancer, and a close friend, Chris Meiring, who passed away aged only 32. Another grandfather, Jeremy, was diagnosed with cancer two years ago and is now in remission.
Recognising the impact of cancer on so many lives, Fergus, joined by his brother Lochie, took on the ultra marathon in support of the Cambridgeshire Freemasons’ drive to raise funds for Maggie’s for the development of Maggie’s new Cambridge centre.
The centre, scheduled to open in 2028 on the Cambridge Biomedical Campus, will offer critical emotional, psychological, and practical support to over 100,000 cancer patients and their families each year, in a supportive and welcoming environment.
Fergus described Maggie’s as “a vital lifeline during the hardest moments,” and dedicated every step of the challenge to those currently affected by cancer.
The marathon route, known for its coastal cliffs, forest trails, and physical demands, pushed the brothers to their limits during the warm bank holiday weekend. Nevertheless, their determination was driven by a clear purpose: helping bring the new Maggie’s centre one step closer to reality.
