17/06/2026
Ride & Stride: Small Effort, Big Impact for Surrey's Churches
Supporters of churches across Surrey are being encouraged to take part in the Surrey Churches Preservation Trust's annual Ride & Stride event on Saturday 12 September 2026.
Organised entirely by volunteers, the event has raised more than half a million pounds over the past four decades to support the conservation of Surrey's churches of all denominations.
Importantly, participation in Ride & Stride also unlocks eligibility for churches to apply for valuable SCPT grants of up to £5,000 for church repair and restoration projects.
Recent grant recipients have included St Barnabas, Ranmore; St Andrew's, Grafham; St Mary's, Shalford; and St Nicholas, Compton, helping to preserve these important buildings for future generations.
Taking part need not involve a lengthy walk or cycle ride. While many participants enjoy visiting churches across the county on the annual Ride and Stride day (Saturday 12 September 2026), others choose to support the event through coffee mornings, bake sales and other local fundraising activities.
Events can take place at any time up to the end of September. Even modest fundraising can have a significant impact. One parish recently raised just £50 through a coffee morning and subsequently qualified for a £3,000 grant towards church building repair work.
Most grant applications are successful, although funding cannot be guaranteed in every case. The message from SCPT is straightforward: Ride and Stride participation creates opportunity.
The Trust is also appealing for new volunteers to help run the charity and its public events. Entirely volunteer-run, the SCPT offers opportunities to gain practical experience in charity management, fundraising, event organisation, marketing, communications, heritage conservation and governance. Younger volunteers can build valuable skills and strengthen their CVs, while retirees can remain active, meet like-minded people and help safeguard Surrey's rich church heritage.
Whether you choose to walk, cycle, visit churches, host refreshments, organise a community event or volunteer with SCPT, every contribution helps protect Surrey's remarkable spiritual, architectural and cultural inheritance.
For details of Ride & Stride 2026 and the cycling/walking routes that can be taken, volunteering opportunities or grant applications, visit www.surreychurchespreservationtrust.org or email the Honorary Secretary at [email protected].
