Rector's Sponsored Bike Ride - 26 September 2002

Rolleston on Dove's fire-eating, juggling Rector, Rev. Ian Whitehead, undertook a new challenge today: to cycle between St. Mary's Church in Rolleston and Holy Trinity in Anslow as many times as possible in eight hours. All money raised through sponsorship and donations will be divided between the Historic Churches Trust, St. Mary's Fabric Fund and Holy Trinity Bell Fund. At 9am he set off towards Anslow loaded up with essential items - mobile phone, crash hat, donor card and orange (coloured) drink. Pictured below are the church wardens helping him on his way, and a final wave as he sets off on the wrong side of the road!

The return journey. Hotly pursued he avoids the temptation to stop for a drink and passes the finish line (2.30pm) to mark up another lap - six and rising. Time for a few more before the celebrations begin. Nine laps completed in total (63 miles).

According to the November issue of the parish magazine the event raised the amazing sum of £2,000. Sponsors included one for the sum of 1.5 Euros/trip. The writer of the article (DGT?) led readers to think that even the Pope had sent his congratulations!! Whether this is true, or not, Ian certainly deserves a gold medal (to add to the Whitehead collection).