Captain Tom inspiration to rescue cancelled event
Captain Tom Moore, the ex-serviceman who raised £millions for the NHS, has been the inspiration behind a call to find alternative ways to raise funds for a local charity’s key annual fundraising event after organisers pulled the plug.
Sussex Historic Churches Trust (SHCT) raises thousands of pounds each year to finance restoration in historic church buildings. This year however, the picture is very different due to the pandemic. Organisers made the difficult decision to cancel its flagship fundraising event Ride and Stride which takes place on the second Saturday in September.
Ride and Stride is an outside event where hundreds of people walk, jog or cycle around as many church buildings as they can and raise funds whilst doing so.
They register on arrival at the church building - usually staffed by church volunteers who offer participants refreshments. Often churches would use this date to coincide with a church event such as a cream tea or summer fair. Half of the money raised by participants is then given out as grants to churches in order to pay of fabric repairs and maintenance.
John Barkshire is the treasurer for SHCT. He said: "The cancellation of Ride and Stride 2020 is a major blow to SHCT. Ride and Stride raises about £25,000 for the charity and a similar amount for the individual parishes which take part.
“This could sharply reduce SHCT's Grant giving capability probably for the next two years as well as depriving parishes of a useful income.
“The hope is that would-be ride and striding participants will be inspired by Captain Tom and find alternative sponsored activities to help fill part of the deficit. Our Churches badly need the money to finance restoration in these difficult financial times"
Will you be inspired by Captain Tom and take part? If so, we would love to hear from you. Contact Amber.jackson@chichester.anglican.org
We would love to hear about your plans and share your photos from the day. There is no need to complete the activity on the usual Saturday as it can be done anytime.
Since October 2019 the Trust has awarded the following grants:
October, 2019
- Pagham: Spiller grant of £20,000.
- Pett: £3,000
- Patcham: £10,00
- Wartling, St Mary: £10,000
March 2020
- St Laurence, Catsfield – an historic church £10,000
- All Saints, Hove – Grade I, at risk - £5,000
- Crowborough, St John - £5,000
June 2020
- Heathfield, All Saints - £5,000