TWO community-minded cyclists will raise funds for church repairs by getting on their bikes and pedalling away.

Sue and Willy Moloney, from Farnham near Bishop’s Stortford, will join more than 600 cyclists and walkers on the Friends of Essex Churches’ sponsored Ride and Stride on Saturday September 14.

With hundreds of churches, chapels and meeting houses to choose from, the annual Ride and Stride is the day when sponsored cyclists and walkers get on the move, visit beautiful buildings and show appreciation of lots of different church communities.

Sue and Willy’s sponsors include members of the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers) who worship at a meeting house in Chapel Hill, Stansted Mountfitchet.

Sue says: “Having fairly recently become a member of the Society of Friends, I feel privileged and proud to be representing the Stansted Quakers in this year’s Ride and Stride event.

“I enjoy cycling, being in the open air, exploring our lovely countryside, and visiting local places of worship.

“To do all this as a joint activity with people of different religious persuasions adds to the experience. As with other inter-church initiatives, it is valuable and enriching for all concerned.”

A popular feature of the Ride and Stride with cyclists and walkers alike is the freedom to choose their own route.

The route Sue and Willy took last year covered Farnham, Manuden, Berden, Arkesden, Clavering, Ugley and Stansted. They visited about 20 churches.

“This year we plan to get as far as Saffron Walden taking in some villages on the way, and coming back through Thaxted, Elsenham and Stansted which a slightly longer ride, weather and stamina permitting,” says Sue.