Blacklands celebrates hugely successful Ride + Stride day

Sep 25

1 min read

Parishioners put in a superb effort at Christ Church Blacklands and St. Andrew on Ride + Stride day this month – with mammoth cycle rides and lengthy hikes all helping to contribute to a £1,700+ fundraising haul.

Church member Mark Norton cycled around 50 miles visiting churches in and around Hastings and Rye while churchwarden Stephen Harvey walked 14 miles visiting local churches and, in the church itself, PCC member Jean Wilson pedalled over six miles on her exercise bike!

Collectively, the Blacklands team raised at least £1,700 with more sponsorship money still due to come in.

Refreshments and a warm welcome also helped cement the church’s reputation as a perfect Ride + Stride destination. In addition to the efforts put in by the church’s own members, some 20+ Ride + Stride participants from other churches also visited during the course of the day.

Blacklands was one of nine churches awarded a grant by the Sussex Historic Churches Trust this month. It received £5,000 towards repair of the church tower roof and elimination of dry rot in the porch.