A MEMBER of clergy in charge of North Craven is planning to cycle and run 75 miles to mark the 10th anniversary of the Anglican Diocese of Leeds.

This month, the diocese, formerly known as the Diocese of West Yorkshire and the Dales will celebrate 10 years since it was formed on April, 20, 2014 following a review of the dioceses in Yorkshire and the dissolution of the dioceses of Bradford, Ripon and Leeds, and Wakefield.

And beginning on Friday, April 19, the Rev Canon Ian Greenhalgh, Area Dean for the Bowland and Ewecross Deanery, will ride and run a mile for every year of his 75 years across the Ripon and Bradford areas, hoping to raise funds to help support churches in the area.

Setting off from Settle, he and his son , Tom, will cycle 50 miles to Ripon Cathedral; and the next day, they will jog or walk, 25 miles along the Leeds and Liverpool Canal from Gargrave to Bradford Cathedral in time for a special anniversary service attended by Most Rev Stephen Cottrell, Archbishop of York.

Rev Greenhalgh said: “When I had my 75th birthday in January and thought about the upcoming 10th anniversary of the Diocese of Leeds, I felt inspired to challenge my fitness levels and to raise money for the church I love to serve.

“Therefore on Friday, April 19, my son Tom and I will cycle 50 miles from Settle Parish Church to Ripon Cathedral. We will pass on churches in Burnsall, Appletreewick and Pateley Bridge on the way.

“We plan to begin the bike ride at 9am and to arrive in Ripon at lunchtime – hopefully people might give us a wave as we pass and maybe the odd cup of tea."

He added: “On Saturday, April 20, we will begin a 25 mile walk and jog along the Leeds and Liverpool canal, starting at Gargrave Parish Church, and passing churches in Skipton, Bradley, Kildwick, Silsden, Riddlesden and Saltaire before finishing at Bradford Cathedral. We plan to leave Gargrave at 9am and arrive at the Cathedral by 2pm.”

Rev Greenhalgh hopes to be joined by friends and volunteers along the route and all are welcome to join him and Tom for as little or as far as they wish.

For those wishing to donate to the cause, he has organised an online funding page at: https://givealittle.co/c/4wSZa8HwxFLJ5o8xOLS52e