Lambeg on traditional route

The well-travelled instrument has already been to the summit of Ben Nevis in Scotland and Slieve Donard closer to home during previous initiatives undertaken by a Co Down Orange lodge.

The same drum has also accompanied the members of Banbridge Bible and Crown Defenders LOL 423 on a walk from Carrickfergus to the Boyne battle site in less than 33 hours - raising £61,000 for the Help for Heroes charity.

LOL 423 has won the order’s Grand lodge award for best charity efforts on three occasions.

The latest Help for Heroes fund-raiser is taking place as a joint venture with their twinned lodge - the Sons of Conquerors LOL 162 from Glasgow.

At 945 miles, John O’Groats to Lands End by bike is the lodge’s biggest challenge yet and is the brainchild of Bro. David Miniss.

Mr Miniss said: “This is by far the most physically demanding challenge to date for the lodge. We plan to leave John O’Groats in the earlier hours of Sunday, 8 June and average around 140 mile per day arriving at Lands End on Saturday 14.”Months of preparation has gone into route planning, booking accommodation and training, and the thirteen lodge members have been clocking up the miles in preparation and are ready for the seven-day ordeal. Mr Miniss added: “To date we have raised in around the £20,000 mark, through various fundraising activities such as street collections, appeal letters, and a night at the races, but we are hoping as the challenge approaches to add a few more pounds to the total.”