Viking Way Challenge Raises Nearly £20k for Lincs Rural and Agricultural Chaplaincy

Written by Viking Way walker Meryl Ward (Chair of Lincs Rural and Agricultural Chaplaincy) – Follow on X

Walking The Viking Way

The Churches and Chapels of Lincolnshire, from the Humber Bridge to Oakham, gave a fabulous welcome to our intrepid walkers over 149 miles of the Viking Way. Thank you to the Church wardens and good folk who opened up church facilities, and at Stainfield (the official halfway point), the home of Claire and Martin Lee. 

Walkers were provided with an amazing welcome (and tea and cake)!

There were too many offers to visit all the churches but thank you for the kindness and fellowship. 

A Challenge to #GetActiveForAlan

The Challenge in early May was to #GetActiveForAlan, encouraging the rural community to collectively walk 1000 miles to celebrate the work of the Lincolnshire Rural and Agricultural chaplaincy by joining in an 11 day walk on the Viking Way. 

Rosie Black and Meryl Ward set out to walk the whole Viking Way, and to raise funds to keep the chaplain in post and fund a part-time colleague. 

For the last 25 years our rural chaplain, Revd Canon Alan Robson, has walked with over a 1000 families and individuals in difficult times, and his pastoral care has undoubtably saved lives and livelihoods.

As they walked from the Humber Bridge through the Lincolnshire Wolds, an Area of Outstanding Beauty, to the City of Lincoln, and then southwards along pretty escarpment villages and an ancient trackway to Oakham, they were joined by 68 walkers.   

Many Miles and Donations

A collective 1089 miles was walked with much fun and fellowship along the away. 

Thank you to Revd Lee Gabel for his blessing at Barnetby, Revd Catherine Wyllie in Caistor, Walesby church and the team led by Katherine Jago.

Also to Revd Sue Evans and Harry Jeffries for rescuing the walkers from the rain in Bardney, Revd Canon Angy Long for a send off at Lincoln Cathedral, the ‘messy Monday’ team at Waddington.

And Coleby Church for a sumptuous tea courtesy of Bentley and Margaret Nelstrop and Sue Markingson-Sanders. 

As they headed to the edge of south Lincolnshire, Joy Jordan and team at Long Bennington church provided sustenance before the finale In Oakham, signing the official book at Oakham library, and a final stop with Revd Debra Marsh.

Nearly £20,000 has been raised in sponsorship with the total still rising. Thank you!

If you would like to contribute, please use the link below.

What is the Lincolnshire Rural and Agricultural Chaplaincy?

Lincolnshire Rural and Agricultural Chaplaincy is a charity set up in 2021, registered number, 1195180, with the objective of raising funds to support rural chaplaincy in Greater Lincolnshire through supporting the employment of rural chaplains and raising the profile of their work.

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