Olympic hopeful launches Ride & Stride

Front row, left to right - Joyce Priest, Roland Platt (both of St Thomas’ Church, Brentwood), Rt Revd Thomas McMahon - Bishop of Brentwood, Dr Ian Jorysz - Rural Dean of Brentwood

Second row - Singers from the Brentwood choir quartet, Song Cycle, who will sing a motet in every church they visit

Hundreds of churches in Essex and East London will take part in the 2009 Friends of Essex Churches Trust sponsored Ride & Stride this Saturday, 12 September - when cyclists and walkers will travel acrosds Essex and East London from church to church by bike or on foot to raise funds to repair and restore churches and chapels.

This year's Ride & Stride was officially launched by Essex sporting ambassador, Russell Hampton. A top cyclist, Russell has been recognised by Essex County Council as having the potential to compete in the London 2012 Olympic & Paralympic Games.

The launch took place at St Thomas’ Church in Brentwood. St Thomas’ raised £2,400 in the 2008 Ride & Stride. This was the best church contribution. The Bishop of Brentwood, Rt Revd Thomas McMahon, presented a trophy to Roland Platt from St Thomas’ at the launch to mark the achievement.

To participate in the event visit www.foect.org.uk/rideandstride_forms.htm for a sponsorship form and a list of participating churches.

You can set up a sponsorship page online with Just Giving. For more details visit www.foect.org.uk/justgiving.html. To make an online donation to the FOECT visit www.justgiving.com/foect/Donate.

For more information contact:

Mrs Fiona Nelmes, Ride & Stride Organiser
Tel 01245 380365
Email fionanelmes@lineone.net

Olympic hopeful launches Ride & Stride

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