Annual Ride and Stride fundraiser set to see people explore hundreds of Hampshire's historic churches

Hundreds of venues across Hampshire are set to be involved with Ride and Stride 2020, including dozens in Fareham, Gosport, Havant and Portsmouth.

People of all ages are invited to cycle, walk, run, ride or drive between churches between 10am and 6pm on Saturday, September 12, raising sponsorship money as they go to help the Hampshire and the Islands Historic Churches Trust keep the buildings well-maintained.

Last year’s event saw 400 churches getting involved, with a record £70,000 raised from people taking part, meeting new people and learning more about the heritage of churches across the area.

Lady Joan Appleyard, chairman of the Hampshire and the Islands Historic Churches Trust, said: ‘Over the last three years, thanks to help from many hundreds of people, we have increased the total available for grants by 40 per cent to support the repair, maintenance and development of churches in our county.

‘If people wish to see these architectural and historical gems remain as part of our cultural heritage and our landscape, irrespective of whether they attend church or not, they need to support them. They are a repository of our local history as well as being places of peace and spiritual refreshment.

‘Our church buildings, still in use today, need help as much as our stately homes if they are to remain for future generations.’

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Participants are encouraged to go along with hand sanitiser and face masks in order to go into the buildings, and to take photos along the way of the churches and churchyards they visit.

All the information on how to take part and which churches are open across the area can be found at hihct.org.uk

Lady Appleyard added: ‘Our trust is run entirely by a small team of volunteers and we are always open to offers of help from anywhere in the county. I am also currently looking for someone to help me and support some of our ventures.’

To find out more about getting involved, contact Meryl Balchin on 01794 368427 or email [email protected]

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