Many historic churches, chapels and meeting houses are battling to survive. Roofs leak, ancient timbers rot and medieval stonework crumbles. Now you can help by joining the Ride & Stride adventure. Taking place on Saturday 14th September, this is a sponsored walk, bike ride or drive, where you discover beautiful churches whilst raising money for their repair and preservation.

The idea is to visit as many places of worship as possible open near you and also get sponsored for visiting them. The sponsorship money you raise is shared 50/50 between the Yorkshire Churches Trust and an individual church of your choice.

If you are looking for inspiration, why not follow the Sculpt Art in Churches trail? The Sculpt project involves international and innovative artists, who have each created individual and unique, site-specific sculptures for seven churches on the edge of the Yorkshire Dales. The seven churches are located in North Stainley, West Tanfield, Well, Snape, Masham, Healey and Mickley.

For cyclists, a good suggested route is to visit North Stainley and West Tanfield by car, then park in West Tanfield village hall car park and then cycle to Well, Snape, Masham, Healey and Mickley in that order. The roads between these villages are quiet and best for biking. The post code for West Tanfield village Hall is HG4 5JQ .

For further details of the Ride + Stride art trail, click here http://www.yhct.org.uk/news/ride-stride-art-trail/