One of our clergy has raised some £2000 for our parishes with a 75 mile sponsored journey to mark the diocese’s 10th anniversary.
The Revd Canon Ian Greenhalgh, Area Dean for the Bowland and Ewecross, and his son Tom, rode on his bike and ran across the Ripon and Bradford areas raising funds to help support our churches.
On Friday, April 19, Revd Ian and Tom cycled from his home to Settle Parish Church, meeting the Revd Peter Greenwood who joined them for the cycle to Airton, and a small group of parishioners came who gave them a good send off.
At Airton the pair met James Atkinson, a keen cyclist and ordinand who joined them for the cycle to Ripon.
Their next stop was in Grassington at the Church Centre, before carrying on to Pateley Bridge, where they stopped for a break and coffee at Stump Cross Caverns.
At Pateley Bridge they went to St Cuthbert’s Church, where a light lunch was provided, before heading towards Ripon Cathedral, taking a tour of the Fountains Abbey area on the way.
The pair arrived at Ripon Cathedral and were met by the Dean, the Very Revd John Dobson.
On Saturday, April 20, Revd Ian and Tom began the next leg of their journey at St Andrew's, Gargrave, heading along the canal through Skipton to a stop at St Andrew’s Kildwick.
The pair carried along the towpaths to reach Bradford and the Cathedral in time for the service, with just time for a quick shower and for Revd Ian to change to join the procession for our 10th anniversary service.
Revd Ian said: “When I had my 75th birthday in January and thought about the 10th Anniversary of the Diocese of Leeds, I felt inspired to challenge my fitness levels and to raise money for the Church I love to serve.
“A special thanks to our backup team Melanie and Rye, to Tom especially, and to all who supported us!”