Posted on: 12th March 2024

One of our clergy is hopping on his bike, then jumping into running shoes for a 75-mile sponsored odyssey to mark the diocese’s 10^th Anniversary this April.

Revd Canon Ian Greenhalgh, Area Dean for the Bowland and Ewecross Deanery will ride and run across the Ripon and Bradford Areas and hopes to raise funds to help support our churches.

His goal is to arrive at Bradford Cathedral on Saturday, April 20 in time for a special anniversary service attended by Most Revd Stephen Cottrell, Archbishop of York.  

“When I had my 75^th birthday in January and thought about upcoming the 10^th Anniversary of the Diocese of Leeds, I felt inspired to challenge my fitness levels and to raise money for the Church I love to serve,” Ian said.

“Therefore on Friday, April 19, my son Tom and I will cycle 50 miles from Settle Parish Church to Ripon Cathedral. We will pass on churches in Burnsall, Appletreewick and Pateley Bridge on the way.

“We plan to begin the bike ride at 9am and to arrive in Ripon at lunchtime – hopefully people might give us a wave as we pass and maybe the odd cup of tea!

“On Saturday, April 20, we will begin a 25 mile walk and jog along the Leeds and Liverpool canal, starting at Gargrave Parish Church, and passing churches in Skipton, Bradley, Kildwick, Silsden, Riddlesden and Saltaire before finishing at Bradford Cathedral. We plan to leave Gargrave at 9am and arrive at the Cathedral by 2pm.”

Ian hopes to be joined by friends and volunteers along the route and all are welcome to join him and Tom for as little or as far as they wish.