Royal Navy Lodge No. 429, the Ramsgate-based Masonic lodge with a proud tradition of charitable giving, has announced a donation of £250 to Beth Reeves, who is taking on one of the world’s most gruelling open-water swimming challenges — a relay crossing of the English Channel — in aid of national spinal injury charity Aspire.
Beth, who has described the challenge as a deeply personal undertaking following a difficult few years, is scheduled to take part in the English Channel Relay Swim on 15 July 2026. Her JustGiving page captures the spirit behind her extraordinary effort: after a close friend completed a solo channel crossing and simply told her “you have to do it,” Beth decided she would.
“The cold, I know, will be my biggest challenge,” Beth writes on her fundraising page, “so I’m plunging straight in with cold water therapy. Wish me luck!!!!”
The money raised will go directly to Aspire, a national charity that provides practical support for people living with spinal cord injuries. Every two hours in the UK, someone is paralysed by a spinal cord injury — a life-changing event that no one is ever prepared for. Aspire works to support individuals from the point of injury all the way through to independence.
Royal Navy Lodge No. 429, is well known across East Kent for its commitment to charitable causes and the donation was inspired by our longest serving member Douglas Darby. (Pictured above). Despite its name, the lodge draws its membership from a wide range of professions and backgrounds, united by the Masonic values of integrity, friendship, respect and service. With over 40 members, the lodge has a long history of supporting both local and national causes.
The £250 donation from Royal Navy Lodge No. 429 adds meaningful momentum to Beth’s campaign, which has already attracted donations from more than 47 supporters.
Anyone wishing to support Beth’s channel swim and donate to Aspire can visit her JustGiving page at: https://www.justgiving.com/page/beth2026
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