Named the Pew Runners, this group of fundraisers from Huddersfield Parish Church has enticed the oldest member of their congregation to join them at 93 years old - to put on their running shoes to replace the old runners in the church pews.
Mary Palmer, said as long as she knows where to start and finish, she's ready to put her best foot forward to join the runners on the relay half marathon this Sunday to raise money to replace the old, rather tatty pew runners in the town centre church.
The curate, Rev’d Simon Crook said: “Many people from the town come into the church to spend time in our beautiful building or to seek help, many homeless folk come in just to be somewhere warm, dry and non-judgemental; we want our church to be as welcoming and comfortable for all our visitors, and so we are raising money for new and better seat cushions. If you’ve ever sat on one of our pews without a runner, you’ll know they can be a little unforgiving!”
So this Sunday, Huddersfield Parish Church will celebrate its Patronal Festival by combining it with the fundraising half-marathon around the church and gardens. It is a relay race and each team will complete a mile before passing on to the next team. The money raised will replace the hundred year-old “pew-runners,” - strips of carpet that make the pews less harsh.
John Gribben from the monastery at Mirfield will also be joining them, he is known as a keen runner, and will also be preaching at the service before.
Anyone who wants to donate, contact the curate, Simon at revscrook@gmail.com