On Saturday 12 September, I’ll be getting on my bike for the Suffolk Historic Churches Trust Ride & Stride 2026.

I’ve set myself a local challenge: to cycle around every church in the Blyth Valley Benefice in a single ride.

That means 14 beautiful Suffolk churches and around 27 miles of country lanes. I’ll be starting from my own church, St Michael & All Angels, Cookley, and making my way around the benefice before returning home.

Why am I doing it?

Our historic churches are an extraordinary part of the Suffolk landscape. They have stood at the heart of our villages for centuries but keeping these wonderful buildings standing, weatherproof and available for future generations takes a great deal of work and money.

Ride & Stride raises funds to help do exactly that.

Half of everything I raise will go directly to St Michael & All Angels, Cookley, and the other half will go to the Suffolk Historic Churches Trust, which provides grants to churches across the county for vital repairs and restoration. So every donation really will make a difference.

Can you help me around all 14 by donating?

I’ll be visiting all 14 churches along the way, and I’m hoping to share some photographs and updates from the route too.

Thank you very much for supporting me, St Michael & All Angels, Cookley, and the work of the Suffolk Historic Churches Trust.

Now I just have to pedal the 27 miles…

Please donate, share the page, and help me make every mile count.

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About Ride & Stride

Ride & Stride is the Suffolk Historic Churches Trust’s annual sponsored event, held on the second Saturday in September.

Cyclists, walkers and runners choose their own route between Suffolk’s churches and other places of worship, raising money to help preserve these remarkable buildings.

The money I raise will be divided equally: 50% for St Michael & All Angels, Cookley, and 50% for the Suffolk Historic Churches Trust, helping fund repairs and restoration of historic churches throughout Suffolk.