Thinking outside the box (or tower in our case) for fundraising ideas, we have entered our first ever team in the Crudwell 'Le Mans' 24 Hour bike ride community fundraising event.

This year 80% of funds raised by each team go to the charity of their choice - in our case "Bells of St Leonard's Repair Fund" - and 20% go to the event organiser's "Crudwell Village Hall" charity, so 2 great causes benefit from our efforts!

St Leonard's church in Minety has a lovely ring of 6 bells, 5 of which date from 1720 and the last significant overhaul was in 1958 when the bells were rehung on a cast iron frame and a new Treble (lightest bell) added. Sadly, 67 years on, a routine maintenance check reported "trouble with the 2" - one of the gudgeons on the No. 2 bell needs to be replaced.

The gudgeon is part of the axle on which the bell turns and therefore supports the full weight of the bell (6 cwt / ~305 kg in this case) along with its headstock, wheel and fittings - so this is a job for the Professionals!

Overall costs are expected to be in the region of £3500 - hence this fundraising effort!

Through JustGiving, you can sponsor us and donations (including GiftAid) will be quickly processed and passed to charities. We really appreciate all your support and thank you for any donations.