Awards Ceremony - Chichester Cathedral

The SHCT awards winners 2003.


The County Organiser (Graham Pound) welcomes everyone.
Also in this photograph is the Lord Lieutenant (Hugh Wyatt) and the Divisional Organiser for Western Sussex (Mike Bradbury).

Cyclists in Sussex were rewarded for their fundraising efforts last month with a ceremony in Chichester Cathedral.

The Lord Lieutenant of West Sussex, Hugh Wyatt, handed out certificates and trophies to all those who took part in the Historic Churches Trust cycle ride last September.

Participants were encouraged to take part in a sponsored cycle ride around churches in the county to raise cash for their church and for the trust, which makes grants to churches more than 100 years old for restoration work.

Graham Pound, Sussex organiser, said: "It was one of the most successful rides we have held. We have raised £53,000 already, and that is without the gift aid returns which should hopefully take us up to the £55,000 mark."

Mr Pound said around 145 people attended the presentation ceremony at Chichester Cathedral on February 21, a mark of how big the event has become in the county. Work had already begun on the 2004 event.

As well as certificates for everyone who took part, there were special achievement trophies for some individuals, including John Andre, who raised £300 after visiting 51 churches on a 60-mile route. The Fishbourne Flyers team also won an award after they raised £1400 between them by visiting 26 churches. Also worthy of a mention are Dani-Luke Day, who was rewarded for raising £110 from 26 church visits, and Oliver Munns, who visited 18 churches on his route and raised £191.

Many dignitaries were on hand to witness the presentation ceremony, including the High Sheriff of West Sussex, the chairman of the county council, Margaret Johnson and Frank Garrett, chairman of Chichester District Council.