The Pommie Pilgrims, who are currently walking to every one of our 42 Anglican cathedrals have arrived at Blackburn Cathedral on their mammoth fundraising trip.
They set off from Derby Cathedral on Palm Sunday and have so far reached eleven cathedrals.
The Pommie Pilgrims – so named for the sound of their village band – hope to raise £42,000 for toilets, kitchen facilities and a warm space in their own church, Youlgrave’s 12th All Saints Church in Derbyshire, a Grade I listed building which features in Simon Jenkins’s book ‘England’s Thousand Best Churches’.
The Revd Richard Tucker, one of the 27 pilgrims, made the journey from Manchester Cathedral to Blackburn alone and said:
“I was particularly looking forward to walking to Blackburn Cathedral as the Dean, Peter Howell-Jones, is an old friend and colleague.
“We share a love and concern for Malawi, one of the poorest countries in the world, and for the church there.”
Canon Jane Clay, chair of the Pommie Pilgrimage organising group, said:
“Our hope to connect Youlgrave with each cathedral in the country via pilgrimage is a huge challenge and feels like an impossible task, but one step at a time, together, we’ll get there.”
The Pommie Pilgrims started their journey on Palm Sunday,and aim to have reached all 42 cathedrals by All Saints’ Day, November 1.
You can follow their route and donate here.
What is a cathedral? Find out here.
