A GROUP of cyclists riding from Richmond, Surrey, to Richmond, North Yorkshire, were welcomed to Westminster by their MP Rishi Sunak.
The eight riders are raising money for the bells of St Mary’s Church in the North Yorkshire town.
The team – Glenys Jones, Glenys Rogers, John Welch, Yvonne Armitage, Andrew Slade, Peter Trewby and James and Barbara Gravenor – set off from Surrey, last Monday calling at the Houses of Parliament to meet Mr Sunak and also Baroness Hale of Richmond.
“I was delighted to meet the team and to wish them well for the rest of their journey,” said Mr Sunak.
“St Mary’s is a most beautiful church and the sound of its bells an important part of the town’s living heritage.”
On their way home to North Yorkshire, the riders have been stopping at village churches, as well as Waltham Abbey and Lincoln Cathedral, to ring the bells.
The St Mary’s Bells fundraising appeal was launched in May 2015 in order to refurbish the ancient bell tower and replace some of the bells.
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.
The riders should arrive in Richmond on Bank Holiday Monday.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here