Ride+Stride is a nationwide event supported by the National Churches Trust but organised by local historic churches trusts. All around the country on the second Saturday in September each year, thousands of people are sponsored to travel from church to church by walking, cycling or other methods.  Funds raised are split between the Trust and local churches in Gloucestershire, South Gloucestershire and North Bristol.

With lock down restrictions easing and churches re-opening, we are expecting to hold a Ride+Stride event as planned on 12th September 2020. Of course, we do understand that we need to abide by government guidance and also what our supporters, feel comfortable with doing.

With churches having been shut for so long, the need for financial help for church renovation and maintenance is probably greater than ever so raising funds is particularly crucial this year to enable us to maintain our grant programme.

To help you we are suggesting supporters who want to take part choose from one of the following options or a combination of these options depending on your circumstances. Again, we would stress, whatever you choose please do ensure that you are comfortable with what you are planning to do and you are able to abide by the latest government guidance.

Option 1
Carry on with Ride+Stride as you would have in previous years – so ride/walk/drive between churches for sponsorship. Obviously it is likely that churches may not be open like they would usually be to offer greetings and refreshments. Of course if any churches feel they can open based on the regulations at the time please do; but the decision is entirely for local churches and supporters.

Option 2
Take part in a sponsored event at home (or other suitable location), for example, 100 laps of the garden, paint a painting, ride an exercise bike for 20 minutes or, indeed, anything that you can think of that you can do!

Option 3
Make a single or regular donation to us to show your support for Ride+Stride and GHCT via Just Giving.

Our Ride+Stride administration will be different this year to reflect the current situation. A significant change is that we will be trying to avoid manual handling so we’ll be promoting online payment and we will not be sending out packs of information as in previous years. For the sponsored options 1 and 2 above we’ll also be splitting the proceeds 50/50 with the local church as in previous years. We will ensure that all the resources and advice you need are on our website and Ray Singleton who is looking after Ride+Stride this year will also be available to answer questions by email at ride-and-stride@ghct.org.uk. We are planning to issue further information on our plans for Ride+Stride by mid-July.