Leicestershire church fundraiser totals more than £30,000.
The annual Leicestershire Ride+Stride event raised funds for individual churches and Leicestershire Historic Churches Trust.
The selected churches were nominated by participants to help keep the stunning and important buildings open for worship and community use
Now in its 32nd year, the trust gives grants to historic churches and chapels throughout Leicester and Leicestershire for repairs, restoration, renovations, and improvements.
Janet Arthur, Chair of the Leicestershire Historic Churches Trust, said: “It was a beautiful day for the event and as ever, we were hugely grateful to all of the cyclists and walkers. And of course our welcomers at churches, and all the very generous sponsors.
“We have raised over £30,000 so far from this year’s event which is amazing. The donations are still coming in and are shared between at least 119 individual churches and the Trust.
"The Trust’s share will be used for grants to churches and chapels in 2022 and we are enormously thankful to everyone who got involved.”
Participants raised a remarkable amount of money and lifted plenty of people's spirits in the process.
The weather was very kind as numerous people of all ages cycled, walked, and ran to raise money by visiting as many participating churches and chapels in one day.
There were 272 participating churches and chapels across Leicester and Leicestershire this year, giving many opportunities to choose an attractive route to
see as many churches as possible.
Local property experts Andrew Granger & Co showed their support by sponsoring the event for the eighth year in a row.
Rupert Harrison, Director and Head of Rural for Andrew Granger & Co Ltd, said: ”We’re so happy for Leicestershire Ride+Stride that the day was able to go ahead again, and proved such a success.
“It’s a wonderful event with a great cause and we were delighted to be able to support it once more.”
The Trust has awarded £23,250 in grants for a wide range of repair and improvement projects to 18 churches and chapels across the county this year.
Yet there are also further applications under consideration taking the total in grants awarded to be nearly £30,000 for more than 20 churches.
Make a donation to the Leicestershire Historic Churches Trust online.
Written by Emily Miller
Emily is a Senior Journalist for Niche Magazine with over a decade of journalism experience. She enjoys going to gigs, visiting galleries and walking in all weathers.
