Sussex vicar to visit 100 churches on motorbike pilgrimage

The Revd Marcus Collie, vicar of Midhurst and rector of All Hallows, Woolbeding, will visit and pray at 100 churches across Sussex on his Suzuki V-Strom to support the Sussex Historic Churches Trust.

Mr Collie is taking part in the annual Ride+Stride event, which raises funds for local churches as well as the Sussex Historic Churches Trust.

He said: "I’ve always been a huge supporter of Ride and Stride and have taken part every year since I became the incumbent for the joint benefice three years ago.

"When I broke my foot in 2024, I couldn’t participate as a cyclist so I organised a ‘Ride and Hobble’ instead.

"This involved leading a merry band of parishioners who use mobility aids on a ‘hobble’ through Midhurst, finishing up with much-needed refreshments at the church."

The journey begins on August 24, at St Mary’s Church in Rye and will finish five days later at Chichester Cathedral.

Along the way, Mr Collie will stop at many churches that have benefited from grants from the Sussex Historic Churches Trust for repairs and restoration.

Chris Whittick of the Trust said: "This pilgrimage is a wonderful initiative and definitely one of the most unusual and ambitious Ride+Stride fundraising activities we have heard about.

"We are incredibly grateful that Marcus has chosen the Trust as the beneficiary of his endeavour."

The official Ride+Stride day takes place on September 12, but Mr Collie’s journey has been timed to allow for a longer route.

He has served as vicar in Midhurst and Woolbeding since September 2023 and is also a governor and chaplain at Midhurst Primary School.

Mr Collie has invited others to join him at various stages of his journey.