This challenge is largely the result of my interest in the history of my local parish church, named after the esteemed Saint Martin of Tours (c. 316 – 397 A.D). After researching other churches dedicated to the same Saint, I decided that it would be a great idea to try to link them together in some way, whilst raising money for a cause that Saint Martin himself, a great champion of the poor and imprisoned, would have appreciated greatly: The Prisoners' Education Trust, a charity supporting prisoners and their families to build a new, positive and constructive start in life through education.

Symbolically, I decided that Easter was the perfect time to complete such a challenge (OK, it also gives me the time to get fit….) and when I discovered that a St Martin’s Church existed in Canterbury, opposite where I used to lecture at Canterbury Christ Church University some years ago, it seemed it was meant to be. I can think of no other place more apt at which to arrive than Canterbury, the spiritual home of British Christianity since the 6th Century.

My running challenge will therefore commence on Friday 23rd March, from St Martin’s Church, Ruislip and will end up, ten days later, on Easter Sunday, at St Martin’s Church, Canterbury. En route I will be passing by (and stopping at) Churches dedicated to St Martin at Trafalgar Square in London; Chelsfield, Eynsford and Detling in Kent. The total distance covered will be over 100 miles and my aim is to raise £10,000. 

£6125.00 raised for this Challenge has already been donated to The Myosotis Trust. All subsequent donations will go entirely to the Prisoners’ Education Trust.

How can you help? Firstly, by supporting me in any way you can: morally, physically (yep, running alongside me) and, importantly, financially (the donation page may be found here). Please also spread the word and encourage friends, family, pets to support this wonderful charity, who make such a difference to the lives of so many people less fortunate than ourselves

Huge thanks for reading and any support you can offer.
Lewis xx    

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