Bristol Masons honour old friend

Four Masons from Bristol are walking from Cherbourg to Pegasus Bridge next month in honour of an old friend who died while walking his dog.

Noel O'Driscoll was walking his pet on Tog Hill in Wick where he lived last January, when he collapsed and died from a heart attack aged 63.

Mr O'Driscoll, who was former SAS, had recently been appointed chair of the Masons.

He had chosen BLESMA (British Limbless Ex Service Men's Association) as the organisation's charity for the year but died shortly after his appointment.

The charity supports service men and women who lose limbs, the use of limbs or eyes or the sight of an eye in the service of our country.

In 1987, he walked from the Clifton Suspension Bridge to Portsmouth, on to Cherbourg and then to Pegasus Bridge to raise money for the charity.

On October 6, four of Mr O'Driscoll's friends are staging the second half of that walk from Cherbourg to Pegasus Bridge in his memory. Cousins Shaun and Richard Harris, along with Phil Green and Steve Bullen will walk the equivalent of four marathons in four days.

The group, which has been in training for four months, will also raise money for his chosen charity.

Mr Bullen, from Emerson's Green, said: "We all knew Noel from the Masons and wanted to do something to celebrate his life."

His wife Patricia said: "My husband had great sympathy with inured soldiers.

"He would think this walk is great and would be very proud of them. I wish them the best of luck."