Sign up for Ride + Stride to back Oxfordshire churches

Rev Alec Gill made the appeal earlier this week at the Oxfordshire launch of Ride + Stride 2019 at St Nicholas Church in East Challow.

Rev Gill, the Associate Vicar of the Vale Benefice, called on families, groups of friends and work colleagues to sign up for the annual fundraiser that sees the public sponsored to walk or cycle between churches.

Organised locally by Oxfordshire Historic Churches Trust (OHCT), Ride + Stride takes place this year on Saturday, September 14.

Rev Gill said: You do not have to attend a church to take part. It is as much for couples and individuals who want an excuse for riding miles on a Saturday or for families who want to do something fun and worthwhile as it is for people of faith.

“You can be a person of no faith, but a church will have been the setting for one of your most significant moments – a baptism, funeral or wedding.

“They are also becoming a centre for the wider community. Ride + Stride allows this to happen by paying for kitchens and heating. It is vital we look after our churches.”

For more details on how to enter Ride + Stride visit ohct.org.uk/ride-stride.

All of the money raised by a Ride + Stride participant can be donated to the local organising body to distribute – or half of it can be donated to a church of the participant’s choice.

The majority of the money raised goes to projects in Church of England churches but Ride + Stride raises money for places of worship of all denominations and faiths.

Nationally, the event raises around £1 million every year.

Oxfordshire is one of the most successful counties in terms of fundraising – with people here contributing around £100,000 in 2018.

Because of this, Oxford was chosen as the venue for the national launch for Ride + Stride in May, when vicars were taught to ride penny farthings before sweeping through the heart of the city.