“Why don’t you take part in this bike ride – a fantastic way to raise funds for your church,” writes Sandra Portas, Stewardship and Fundraising Coordinator for the diocese. “And you can have fun meeting others too. You can even walk or drive whilst discovering hidden gems in Norfolk and Suffolk.”
The ride is a way for parishes to raise money without a huge amount of organisation. Any money raised is split between the parish of the participants’ choice and the Norfolk or Suffolk Churches Trust. The trusts give out grants to churches and chapels of all Christian denominations. Participants can cycle, walk, run or drive, so nobody needs to feel that they can only do the event by peddling.
The rides will both take place on Saturday September 10 from 9am to 5pm. Most churches in the counties will be open on the day and the idea is to visit as many of them as possible.
Last year the Norfolk ride raised £130,156 through the efforts of 711 participants. This meant it has raised over £4 million since its inception in 1983. This money has made a huge difference to preserving Norfolk’s iconic and beautiful churches. A total of 307 places of worship received cheques last year. More information is available on the website norfolkchurchestrust.org.uk/bike-ride-walk/
“This year has particularly brought home how lucky we are to live in Norfolk with its beautiful countryside,” writes Bike Ride Committee Chairman Charles Inglis, “without the terrible horrors of war and persecution that ravage various parts of the world at the moment. It has made me realise that one cannot take peace for granted and one has to fight to protect the things one loves. In Norfolk we are blessed with extraordinary church buildings that face their own challenges and we hope that you will support a church of your choice and the Norfolk Churches Trust by taking part in this year’s Bike Ride.”
Participants can send in photos and the organisers will give a £50 prize to the ones they like most and send them to the EDP to be published. The more competitive can try and get their name on the Wall of Fame, where the names of the people who visit the most number of churches in a day, by bike or foot, are posted on the Norfolk Churches Trust website.
The Prince of Wales Certificate, signed by the Prince of Wales himself, will be awarded to the person who raises the most money. There is also a prize of £1,000 for the most improved church, i.e. the church that manages to increase its fundraising the most compared to last year.
On the same day and in the same format the Suffolk Historic Churches Bike Ride takes place, more details at: Suffolk Historic Churches Trust (shct.org.uk)
Pictured above are participants in a previous Norfolk Churches bike ride.
Credit: rcdea.org.uk