Info for Participants

Ride + Stride

Ride + Stride is an annual event that that raises more than £1.5 million for churches right across the country. It plays a vital role in our fundraising and you don't need to be a churchgoer to take part! Funds raised are shared equally between the Trust and a specific place of worship if nominated by the participant.

This year Ride + Stride is taking place on Saturday, September 13 from 9am to 5pm.

Our goal is to have at least places of worship take part in 2025.

Where to start!

1. Register

Fill out our online registration form for participants and if you're raising money for a particular church, let them know. You can get sponsored doing anything! Walk, cycle, ride, jog or even drive between the churches you visit – or get sponsored doing anything else you fancy on Ride + Stride day.
Friends and family can sponsor you per church visited or by a one-off donation. If you're volunteering at a church, why not get sponsored for the number of hours you are helping out.

2. Arrange Sponsorship

You can either:

a) collect your payments personally to pass onto your local church. They will transfer 50% to the Sussex Historic Churches Trust or

b) if you are not raising funds for a specific church, you can donate online directly using our Ride + Stride donation page. If you want to set up your own JustGiving page, please go via the "fundraise for us" link on our general JustGiving page as this will ensure your contribution is linked correctly.

Sponsorship form

3. Sign Gift Aid form

if you are eligible for Gift Aid, why not fill out our online Gift Aid Declaration form? Gift Aid means we can claim an extra 25p for every £1 you donate. Please also ensure that when you hand in your collected sponsorship money post-event, you include your name and address so that Gift Aid can be claimed by both ourselves and your nominated place of worship.

Gift Aid Declaration

4. Plan your route

The joy of Ride + Stride is that there is no fixed route which means that you can plan your own route and explore as much – or as little – of Sussex as you wish. You can even cross into adjacent counties if you wish.

Full list of Sussex churches for Ride + Stride

Useful Links

5. Collect the funds

A huge thank you from all of us at the Sussex Historic Churches Trust for taking part in the Sussex Ride + Stride event.

You can definitely put your feet up now and reflect on a fun day – with a cup of tea (or something stronger if you are over 18 !

Please collect all your sponsorship monies by October 31 and pass this along, together with your sponsorship form(s), to your local church. If you are not nominating a particular church, please feel free to donate directly to us via our Ride + Stride donation page

and fill out the Gift Aid section if eligible.

A few things to remember if you are completing the paper forms:

Please ensure that you complete your name and address details on each sponsor form. And don't forget to Gift Aid the donation if you're eligible. See our Gift Aid declaration form for details.
If you are under 16 please ensure that you include your age on the sponsor form

Ride + Stride donations

Safety

Safely should be your highest priority when taking part in Ride + Stride. Here is some advice to riders and walkers

It is a condition of entry that the SHCT, save to the extent required by law, accepts no responsibility in respect of death, injury or damage caused by or to any participant during the sponsored event.
All entrants under 16 must have their parents’ consent.
Police advise all cyclists to ride in single file. If any group contains more than six riders, please leave a suitable gap between the groups so as to not inconvenience motorists.
Please study the cycling section of the Highway Code, and make sure your machine is roadworthy before setting out. Brakes and tyres are particularly important.
If possible, wear bright clothing with a fluorescent band and safety helmets.
When you leave your bicycle, please lock it for safety.
Any horse riders must have their own personal Insurance.