The Bishop of Oxford kept a steady hand on the tiller as he joined fundraisers for the annual Ride and Stride.
Hundreds of worshippers across Oxfordshire have been getting on their bikes to visit county churches as the Bishop, Rt Rev Steven Croft, decided to use a narrowboat on the Thames to travel between destinations.
He was joined on board the narrowboat today by a number of different clergymen as he visited places of worship across the city, including St Barnabas Church in Jericho, St Matthew's Church in Grandpont and St Mary's Church in Iffley.
Ride and Stride is organised by the Oxfordshire Historic Churches Trust and money raised will be split between OHCT and the church of the participant’s choice.
The Bishop, who has visited 45 churches across the city during the past week, said: "Ride and Stride raises a fantastic amount of money for churches, which are immense resources for their community
"At many of the churches I have visited I have seen lots of imaginative community projects.
"We have been making a traditional pilgrim's mark in chalk on each church we visit."
Dr Stephen Goss, chairman of Oxfordshire Historic Churches Trust, said Ride and Stride was expected to raise about £120,000.
He added: "This event is one of our biggest income sources and the amount raised is about half the amount we give out every year in grants.
"Some churches only have small congregations and are in great need of repair.
"It's been a great honour to have the Bishop travelling with us on a narrowboat - he is one of our Patrons."
This year’s countywide event was launched by Rev John Durant, the Vicar of the Vale Benefice in the Wantage area.
Rev Durant looks after the congregations of four Anglican churches – Grove, Denchworth, Hanney and East Challow.
Speaking outside St James the Great Church in West Hanney, which is among the churches that riders can visit, Rev Durant said earlier: “Ride and Stride is certainly a very popular event with people in our parishes.
“It gets people out doing things together, visiting churches and raising money.
“We are very appreciative of the money that comes directly from those taking part and also for the money that we go on to get in grants from OHCT.
“Three of our four churches have received grants this year and this has made life easier for us."
Ride and Stride is OHCT’s major fundraising event and last year it helped the trust to make grants of £194,500 to 34 churches in the county.
A further £18,000 was handed out to help churches to install roof alarms.
This year for the first time, a cup will be awarded to the most successful team from an Oxfordshire business.
The Taylor Trophy has been made by local sculptor Eleanor Clutton-Brock.
Last year churches across Oxfordshire were invited to apply for grants from the Oxfordshire Historic Churches Trust to boost their security.
The trust launched its Alarms for Churches Appeal following a series of lead thefts from the roofs of churches.
St Blaise Church in Milton near Didcot had to replace the roofing on its vestry twice in 12 months and decided to switch from lead to stainless steel.
The trust has offered to pay £2,500 towards the cost of installing a church’s electronic alarm system.
To find out churches taking part in Ride and Stride visit ohct.org.uk/ride-stride
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