DORSET Historic Churches Trust is celebrating raising a record-breaking £79,000 during its annual fundraising Ride+Stride event in September – £3,000 more than the previous year’s amount.

Ride+Stride is the main source of income for Dorset Historic Churches Trust (DHCT) and involves some 200 parish and church communities across the county.

Money raised during the event helps fund vital repairs, maintenance and restoration work at Dorset’s churches.

Both Ride+Stride novices and experienced fundraisers took part in the event, helping to raise the impressive sum.

One participant, Richard Campbell from St Osmund’s Church in Evershot, visited seven churches and raised £2,400. Despite a disability that means he has to ride a tricycle rather than a traditional bicycle, Richard covered 10 miles – double his target.

A group of 21 parishioners from St Giles’ Church in Hooke, aged between 7 and 67 years old, walked, rode and cycled 10 miles to raise over £1,000, while Alan Neades from St Mary the Virgin’s Church in Piddlehinton visited a remarkable 42 churches and raised £700.

Reverend Joe Edwards from St Mary’s Church in Blandford pulled out all the stops for the Trust, as he cycled 280 miles in just over 24 hours as part of Action Challenge’s London to Paris 24 event.

Joe cycled six times a week in preparation for the trip, covering distances of 200 and 300 miles at weekends to ensure he was ready for the challenge.

Simon Pomeroy, Chairman of Dorset Historic Churches Trust (DHCT), said: “We would like to say a big thank you to everyone who took part in the Ride+Stride event.

“We are thrilled with the amount raised, which will allow us to continue helping to preserve beautiful churches across Dorset for future generations to enjoy.

“The repair works we help fund are often desperately needed and we rely on fundraising activities and also donations from the Friends of the Dorset Historic Churches Trust to make our work possible.”