19 February 2010

DESPITE the economic downturn record amounts were raised in 2009 during the annual Ride and Stride.
 

More than £121,000 has been banked by the Oxfordshire Historic Churches Trust. Sixteen Churches raised more than £1,000. St Mary, Wootton, All Saints Rotherfield Peppard and St Peter and St Paul, Swalcliffe, raised more than £2,000 and St Mary, Holwell and Mary Magdalen, Oxford both raised over £3,000. The Revd John Tattersall, was the most successful individual fund-raiser visiting 32 churches and raising over £2,700 for Swalcliffe Church’s roof repairs.

Neil Speight, cycling for St Mary Magdalen, Oxford, benefited from a competition being advertised by JustGiving for a film title/food pun; a member of the congregation entered and won the £1,000 prize, which Nigel added to his sponsorship money.
He cycled over 30 miles visiting 33 churches in and around Oxford and came to the conclusion that “such places are seriously worth keeping, not least because the human activities going on within are as uplifting as the buildings themselves”.

The highest number of churches visited was 83 by Simon Blainey of Wesley Memorial Church, Oxford, who covered 75 miles. Grace Fredericks, 101, was the oldest person to take part. She walked to Churches in Charlbury in aid of the Friends Meeting House. Miss Fredericks paced herself, visiting a few churches in the morning, taking a rest and then visiting more in the afternoon. Records show the oldest person previously to take part was a 99-year-old clergyman. Tory leader David Cameron takes part every year.

The Ride and Stride 2010  is on Saturday 11 September.