will be held on Saturday 9th September 2023: 9am – 5pm
The annual Sponsored Ride & Stride is a national event, and every second Saturday in September cyclists and walkers all round the country will be out making money for their local county Churches Trust.
The idea started in Aldeburgh in Suffolk 40 years ago, and consistently Suffolk has headed the table of funds raised. The Ride and Stride is the main source of income to Suffolk Historic Churches Trust to enable it to make grants to churches and chapels of all denominations towards repair and restoration costs.
Ride and Stride is run entirely by volunteers and is inter-denominational, with participants sponsored for each place of worship visited between 9.00am and 5.00pm, or with a donation, regardless of the number of churches visited. The money raised by each cyclist or walker is shared equally between the Suffolk Historic Churches Trust and the place of worship nominated by the participant. It is also a chance to see some beautiful ancient buildings which may not often be open other than for services.
As important as the participants are the many volunteers who give up the day to man the churches and chapels and sign in the cyclists and walkers as they arrive. Hundreds of places of worship are involved during the day and that takes quite a team of volunteers! It is a real community effort that is the lifeblood of the Trust.
In Suffolk we also hold a Pedal & Drive event on the same day, a car rally for vintage and classic cars. More information about all the events can be found on the Suffolk Historic Churches Trust website.
Suffolk has been split into a number of areas, each with its Ride and Stride Area Organiser, and each parish has its own Local Organiser, who will be able to supply the necessary sponsor forms. The Local Organiser for Lound is Lesley McDonald (01502 584275). For any other information please telephone or email the SHCT office – 01787 883884 shct@btconnect.com
It is a special year! Suffolk Historic Churches Trust is 50 years old this year. We are immensely grateful to SHCT who helped us with a grant towards the cost of the restoration of the church windows. By way of appreciation, let’s hope we can make it a Special Sponsored Cycle Ride too.
