2024 marks a very special year in my life. On January 11th I had my birthday and I find it hard to believe I am now 75 - or as my daughter tells me 27,394 days old.
As I look back over the years there are so many special memories; Ordination in 1977 in Liverpool Cathedral, getting married in 1978, the birth of our daughter in 1981, joining the RAF in 1984 and the birth of our son and then, in 2004, becoming the Vicar of Austwick and Clapham.
One major influence in my life has always been sport, and soon after Ordination I ran in my first Marathon in Bolton. Regular training, improving times and then running for the RAF took me to many amazing locations including Washington DC, Las Vegas, Cyprus, Berlin, Cape Town, Falkland Islands and more recently The Sea of Galilee Marathon. This usually meant raising money for a whole range of charities.
One of my favourite verses is Hebrews 12: 1 - ‘Run with Perseverance the Race that is set before you, looking to Jesus the Pioneer and Perfecter of your faith’.
As I begin my 76th year, fortunate to still be able to run and cycle, I see that verse as an inspiration for my whole life and also for the coming years.
As the Diocese marks its 10th Anniversary, over the weekend of April 19-21, I thought it would be good to cycle and run 75 miles. I plan to cycle part of The Way of the Roses from Settle to Ripon Cathedral on the 19th and then jog and walk to Bradford Cathedral on the 20th.
I hope my effort alongside my son, Tom, and also some friends and volunteers, will raise some money for the Church I love to serve.