A DEDICATED team of bell-ringers trying to raise £160,000 for a new bell tower will be led by two women on a tandem cycling across the country in a final push to reach the total.

The bell-ringers of St Mary’s Church, Richmond, launched the fundraising appeal in May 2015 in order to refurbish the ancient bell tower and replace some of the bells.

After a year of tireless fundraising the group is just £20,000 short of the total needed – and hope the cycling challenge will inspire people to get them to the finishing line.

Glenys Rogers, from Gayles, near Richmond, and Glenys Jones, from Catterick, have been training in all weather ahead of their bike ride from Richmond, Surrey, to Richmond, North Yorkshire, from May 23 to 29.

Mrs Rogers, who is a bell-ringer at the church with her husband Graham, said: “We wanted to do something to boost the last part of the fundraising.

“We chose to ride a tandem, despite not having ridden one before, as a play on doubles, which is a very important part of bell ringing.

“To ring doubles is to ring five bells, which gives a certain sound. As we have two Glenyses we thought we would ride a ‘double’ bike from one Richmond to another.

“We will be ringing the bells at around 20 churches and cathedrals along the 350 mile journey, and riding with us are four other bell-ringers and two members of Swaledale Outdoor Club.

“We will ring at Waltham Abbey, Lincoln Cathedral, and lots of small village churches; and will be ringing hand bells as well as tower bells.

“Everyone has been so supportive, offering us refreshments and ideas for places to stay.”

She added: “Riding a tandem isn’t easy, and I’ve only been doing it since September last year.

“Glenys rides at the front so I have to trust her implicitly as she has control of the brakes and steering – it wouldn’t work with someone you didn’t get on with.

“Swaledale Outdoor Club has been a huge support – they are providing logistics and technology.”

For more information visit www.richmondbells.com; www.justgiving.com/richmond-hudswellpcc; email richmondbells@gmail.com, or call Peter Trewby on 01748 824468.