Ride + Stride 2012 coming to a church near you!

WITH THE COSTS of repairing and restoring church buildings constantly increasing, churches across the UK are increasingly looking towards church preservation trusts for support, but who supports them?

An annual sponsored event for over 30 years, Ride + Stride encourages people of all ages to walk, cycle or even horse ride between churches, earning more money for each additional church visited - and last year, over £20,000 was raised in this Diocese for Surrey Churches Preservation Trust.

This year’s event will take place on Saturday 8 September and churches across the Diocese (and beyond) 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, and if you are not quite feeling your inner Bradley Wiggins, do not fear! This year, for the first time, the Trust are also encouraging churches to get sponsored for receiving guests.

Your support now benefits your church later

"The costs of doing works is going up, so there's a lot more pressure on trusts to foot the bill, so now is a more important time than ever to support us," explains Andrew Plumridge, Guildford Organiser for Surrey Churches Preservation Trust.

"Churches should see this as sort of an insurance scheme - providing a backup of funds for when the urgent work is required."

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 is returned to your chosen church.

Where to visit and what next

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.

Get yourself sponsored, plan a route, and on the day, try to visit as many churches and chapels as you can!

For further information, route planners and sponsorship forms visit www.rideandstrideuk.org">www.rideandstrideuk.org