As the new interim Area Dean for the Allerton Deanery, The Rev Canon David Paton-Williams wanted to find a way to fit in visiting the 21 churches on his patch. Rather than take to his car over a number of days and weeks, he decided to take to his saddle and do it all in one day, raising money for Ride +Stride.
On Saturday 12th September, David donned his helmet, waterproof jacket and cycled 25 miles, visiting 23 places of worship, including a church school and St James’s Hospital chapel.
David said: “It all went off very well – apart from getting a bit wet. The main ingredients were one person lending me a bike and another lending me a padded gel seat – that made all the difference! It was a very good thing to have done and I enjoyed finding one or two places I hadn’t been to before, and meeting people at various churches along the route”
At the time of going to press, David had raised over £600.
David is also the Vicar at St Edmund’s at Roundhay, in Leeds. The Trust awarded St Edmund’s £5000 in March towards repointing and repair work, which was needed to prevent deterioration to church and to ensure it could withstand continued use and act as an important community hub in Roundhay.
Thanks to the fundraising efforts of the local congregation, and grants from other funders, the majority of the money needed for the repair works had been raised. The final £5000 from the YHCT has meant that the work is now well underway, and the fabric of the church will be protected for the future.
