Ride + Stride coming soon to a church near you!

FOLLOWING THE PHENOMENAL SUCCESS of last year’s Ride + Stride, from which over £50,000 was raised for Hampshire and the Islands Historic Churches Trust, now’s the time to dust off your walking shoes, bring out your bike and have a great day once again.

This year’s event will take place on Saturday 8 September and churches across the Diocese will be open to receive volunteers – providing you with a chance to explore the historic churches dotted all over the majestic English countryside.

You can also be part of the welcome team at your local church.

Norman Denison, 77, from King’s Somborne, has been involved with Ride + Stride for 20 years now and says what most appeals to riders is to be welcomed personally at the churches.

“At King’s Somborne, I’ve made a strong effort to see that the churches are manned, as it makes a real difference to participants to have people there to greet you, as some churches will just have a sign outside.

“As a participant I enjoy it as you see something different every time you go, at every place you visit, and some churches are quite creative – opening a café for the occasion or getting their whole choir to participate.”

Where to visit

Many churches will be providing drinks and snacks to offer volunteers a chance to relax and recharge between journeys. Download a list of churches open for visitors (and tea and toilets!) here.

For Jane Austen enthusiasts the three churches in Hampshire central to the author’s life will be open; Steventon, near Basingstoke (the Rectory was her home from birth until the age of 25, and where she wrote first drafts of Pride & Prejudice, Sense & Sensibility, & Northanger Abbey); Chawton, where she lived with her mother and sister from 1808, and became a published author, and remained until weeks before her death in 1817; Winchester Cathedral, her burial place.

Going for Gold

As well as providing an excellent opportunity to raise money to restore historic churches across the UK, don’t forget that 50% of the money raised by volunteers can go towards your local church.

The three churches that raised the most in the county last year were Hatherden with Tangley (£1,763), Appleshaw, St-Peter in the Wood (£1,550) and King’s Somborne, SS Peter & Paul (£1,488).

Get yourself sponsored by friends and family, and try to visit as many churches and chapels as you can – will you help your church go for gold this year?

For more information about Ride + Stride and to download sponsorship forms visit http://www.rideandstrideuk.org/">http://www.rideandstrideuk.org/