Raising for the Roof

Cawthorne Church where I was married, my son christened and where my wife's ancestors have frequented over many generations has fallen foul to age and the elements.

What was initially a guttering repair has escalated into a major structural costly repair. We have had scaffolding and temporary roof coverings in place for most of this year due to investigative work, which has sadly proven our worst fears. The extent of the rot and damage, together with the issues related to the church being a listed building, has escalated the cost dramatically to £92,000.

Please spare a moment and read on because if the work cannot be completed before the winter sets in, the roof will remain exposed to the elements which could result in further unaffordable damage to the structure, interior and most importantly the church organ.

We are a victim of the times with the world suffering with the economic and health impacts of Covid 19. Simply put the church does not have anywhere near the funds to save it. It is with this in mind that I have decided at short notice and due to social distancing and shielding, that I will undertake a long distance charity run. Setting off from Cawthorne All Saints Church on Sunday 23rd August 2020, I will run 9.2 miles away from the church, put on a church roof costume and run back to the church, totalling 18.4 miles.

Although fit and healthy and having done a few half marathons in my life I have never attempted to run further, due to the effect on my joints...... because as a young child for 3 years I wore calipers due to Perthes disease and fear my joints might suffer too much.

So I'm training as hard as I can over the next 4 weeks and knowing that a friend of mine connected to the church is facing their own personal health battle, I'm using that to inspire me and push me to do this challenge. Every penny I raise will help this church and its desperate cause.