300 people will get on their bikes in Herefordshire

A couple, both over 70 years old, and members of a village youth group will be among three hundred riders and walkers(300) taking part in the annual Ride & Stride in Herefordshire. It is being organised by the Herefordshire Historic Churches Trust which hope to raise twenty thousand pounds (£20,000)

The event on Saturday 12th September will see groups and individuals visiting churches all over the county, getting their card stamped and claiming money from their sponsors. Nearly 250 churches will be open, staffed and ready to greet riders as they aim to visit as many churches as they can between 10am and 6pm.

“Shelagh, my wife, and I have been taking part for thirteen (13) years and are aiming to make twice as much as our combined ages,” joked Robin Peers, one of the organisers. “With a combined age of over one hundred and fifty, we are being quite ambitious and it’s not getting easier as the years add on but enormous fun!” 

Shelagh and Robin have raised about £2000 for the Historic Churches Trust and their own local church as money is shared equally between both. A Rider from Ledbury has finally hung up his bicycle clips after raising more than £16,000 and last year one doughty ninety year old (90) visited  13 churches on her Mobility Scooter to raise just over £200. In 2008 around 70 riders were under 16 years old, including several as young as five.

“With Dorothy at 90 and a two year old being pushed round by her mum in her pushchair, the Ride & Stride involves a wide range of people,” said Robin. “Add on the number of folk staffing the churches, providing refreshments, all the sponsors and this is a big day for the whole County.”

The money raised goes into the coffers of the Herefordshire Historic Churches Trust which hands out grants to local churches. It usually to fund work like drains and minor repairs and maintenance, not attractive to the big funding organisations, but which make a big difference to the small congregations across the County. In the last three years it has handed out nearly two hundred thousand pounds (£200,000).

Robin Peers is available for interview. Contact Anni Holden below

A jpeg picture of the vicar and mayor of Bromyard is currently available. A number of pictures will be available after the event.