Church fundraisers take challenge in their stride (From This Is Wiltshire)

Wiltshire’s beautiful churches are getting ready to showcase their history and architecture to visitors on Ride+Stride Saturday, September 8, an annual open day which raises money to repair historic churches.

Ride+Stride was started in 1983 and since then more than £29 million has been raised throughout England to support the repair of churches, with thousands of people enjoying a day out while raising funds to help preserve their local heritage.

People taking part are sponsored to raise money for their favourite church or chapel, as well as for the Wiltshire Historic Churches Trust.

As well as sponsored cyclists and walkers, also taking part in Ride+Stride will be runners, joggers, horse-riders and mobility scooter users. People can also just make a donation at a church.

Ride+Stride supporter, author Bill Bryson said: “No feature of the English countryside is more important, or potentially more vulnerable, than its churches.”

The Rt Rev Nicholas Holtam, Bishop of Salisbury and trustee of the National Churches Trust, said: “Ride+Stride is a wonderful way to discover the churches that lie at the heart of our nation’s heritage and landscape.

“It’s also a great way to raise money to support the repair and maintenance of churches.

“It doesn’t matter if you raise £2, £20 or £200. Every penny raised means you will help to save and protect our unique heritage.”

The majority of Wiltshire’s churches will be open between 10am and 6pm on the day.

There will also be the opportunity to relax and recharge between journeys, with many churches offering snacks and drinks, from cakes and biscuits to home-grown plums and orange squash.

For more information, call Charles Graham on (01672) 514301.