We are thrilled to announce that the Christ Church Community Centre Team will be participating in a very special edition of the Wiltshire Ride + Stride on Saturday, 14th September 2024. This year marks the 40th anniversary of this incredible event, which has been a cherished tradition since 1984, raising over £1.6 million to preserve the historic churches that are such an integral part of our county’s heritage.

Looking Back at 2023:

Last year’s Ride & Stride was an incredible success, and we owe a huge THANK YOU to our dedicated Christ Church Riders and Striders—Caroline and Daniel, Chris, Carol, and Steve—as well as to everyone who supported them.

Here are some highlights:

Caroline caught 7 buses and visited 15 churches.

Carol walked over 18 miles in the blistering heat, visiting 23 churches.

Daniel cycled solo and visited 11 churches.

Steve and Chris mostly cycled together; Chris rode over 42 miles and visited 38 churches, while Steve cycled an impressive 51 miles and visited 41 churches.

Although Janet French still holds the Christ Church record with 42 churches visited in one day, our 2023 team raised over £500 for the Wiltshire Historic Churches Trust, with nearly half of that amount coming back to Christ Church.

You can watch a brief slideshow of their adventure here

Why Are We Participating in 2024?

As we celebrate the 40th anniversary of Ride + Stride, we reflect on the importance of our churches, which are more than just places of worship—they are the heart of our communities, connecting us to our history and each other. By participating in this milestone event, we are helping to ensure these historic buildings remain standing for future generations.

Half of the funds we raise this year will go directly to Christ Church, with the other half supporting the ongoing work of the Wiltshire Historic Churches Trust in preserving and restoring churches across the county.

How Can You Support Us?

We invite you to sponsor our team this year as we embark on this 40th-anniversary ride! Whether you choose to donate per church we visit or contribute a lump sum, your support will make a meaningful difference. Every donation helps us maintain the historic churches that are such a vital part of our heritage.

To contribute, please visit our JustGiving page: Christ Church Community Centre Ride and Stride Team 2024. For more information about the event and the Wiltshire Historic Churches Trust, you can also visit their website here. If you want to join our team and Ride or Stride on the day, please contact Arline Stovell (Parish Organiser) and Chris Smith (details below).

Help is also needed during the day to welcome people to Christ Church and St Mary’s.

For more information please contact Arline Stovell, [email protected] 07716394754

or Chris Smith, [email protected] 07582 305760

Thank you for your continued support and encouragement. We’re excited to take on this challenge again on 14th September 2024 and share our journey with you!

With heartfelt thanks,

The Christ Church Community Centre Team