By the Rev Richard Barber
This weekend the Reverend Phil Arnold, of Christ Church Armley, will be leading a small group on a 62-mile walk across Leeds.
The initiative is part of a match-funded Give to Green project helping churches to reduce their carbon footprint, and Christ Church are also hoping to use it to raise £20,000 in order to repair the church office roof.
The walk itself begins today (Friday) and will go from Golden Acre Park to Garforth. The Saturday leg will go from Garforth to Scotchman lane. On Sunday the traditional Harvest service will take place in the morning and the walk will continue in the afternoon, finishing at Golden Acre Park.
While particularly committed walkers will be taking part in the whole walk, it is also possible to join for just one morning or afternoon.
As well as vicar Phil Arnold and congregation members taking part in the walk, there will also be local community members a joining for at least part of the way as a wide range of people get behind this initiative.
The Rev Arnold said: “We’re really excited to partner with the Church of England’s Give to Green initiative so that we can play our part in being environmentally friendly, blessing our community and having a load of fun along the way.”
Church warden Isabell Inmann is also taking part. She added: “Christ Church in Armley are doing great things in the community and we want to continue doing so but our beautiful building is in need of repair.
“Young and old are becoming involved this weekend by doing a sponsored walk on the Leeds country way, which is great.”
If you would to find out more about the Give to Green initiative, more details can be found here and if you would to join for all or part of the walk, contact Reverend Phil Arnold on Phil.Arnold@christchurcharmley.org.uk.
You can sponsor the walkers here.