Two musicians from Guildford Cathedral will set off on Easter Monday on an 800km pilgrimage across France and Spain to raise funds to support church and school music.
Guildford Cathedral musicians take on 800km Camino challenge
Asher Oliver, Sub-Organist of Guildford Cathedral, and Fraser Ellson, one of the Cathedral’s Lay Clerks will undertake the Camino Francés, travelling from Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port in the French Pyrenees to Santiago de Compostela on Spain’s Atlantic coast.
The two friends and colleagues, travelling as Team Guildford Cathedral, will complete the route in just under three weeks, covering the distance by a demanding mixture of walking and cycling.
At the heart of the challenge is Asher’s fundraising effort for Guildford Cathedral music, helping to support the future of its choir and organists and preserve a musical tradition that has shaped worship, community life and young musicians for generations.
Fraser is fundraising to support music provision in nine state primary schools across the South of England. Through the primary school singing programme he leads, he has already reached around 1,600 children.
The challenge comes immediately after one of the busiest and most significant periods in the Cathedral year, with the pair taking part in the full schedule of Holy Week and Easter services before setting off at dawn the following day.
All costs associated with the pilgrimage are being met personally by Asher and Fraser, ensuring that every donation goes directly to supporting Cathedral music and music education.
Asher Oliver said,
“Music is such an important part of daily life at the Cathedral, and I am really pleased to be raising funds to help sustain it for the future.”
Guildford Cathedral Choir is central to the Cathedral’s worshipping life, singing regularly throughout the week and at major services across the Church year. Alongside the organ tradition of the Cathedral, it forms a key part of the Cathedral’s daily witness, ministry and public life.
Beyond its role in worship, Guildford Cathedral music also offers young people a rich musical education and life-shaping opportunities through discipline, teamwork, confidence and excellence.
“Music has the power to shape lives, whether that is in cathedral worship, parish life or in the classroom,” said Fraser Ellson. “It is very special to be doing this together, as friends, colleagues and musicians, and to be raising money for two causes that are both so close to our hearts.”
The Very Reverend Bob Cooper, Dean of Guildford, said,
“Asher and Fraser are two outstanding musicians who give so much to the life of this Cathedral.‘
“To head straight from the intensity of Holy Week and Easter into an 800km pilgrimage across France and Spain is a quite remarkable commitment — and entirely typical of their dedication and spirit.”
The Dean added a personal note of solidarity:
“I know the Camino well, having walked it myself. It is demanding, beautiful, and genuinely transformative. I can think of no better people to represent Guildford Cathedral on that ancient road.”
To complete the pilgrimage within their timeframe, they will need to average around 30km a day on foot or 70km a day by bike.
You can support Asher and Fraser on their journey.
- To support Asher click here.
- To support Fraser click here.
