The Bishop's Walks - The First Ten Years
Monday, 10th May 2010
The Bishop of Hallam the Right Rev John Rawsthorne recently attended a special evening at the Baldwin’s Omega in Sheffield to officially launch ‘The Bishop’s Walks - The First Ten Years’, a new publication by volunteer Diane Russell.
At the previous year’s volunteer dinner Diane spoke to Centre Director Kevin Bradley about the possibility of compiling a book of the famous walks. The Bishop’s Walks which are sponsored events in aid of St Wilfrid’s take place every September over a 15 mile course in the Peak District. Walkers who accompany the Bishop and Kevin along the way include priests, headteachers, staff from local schools, volunteers, and staff and clients from the Centre.
The walks have raised over £114,000 for St Wilfrid’s and are now a recognised part of the diocesan calendar. Over the years the Bishop and supporters have roamed far and wide over the Derbyshire countryside. The first walk was in 1999 and the book covers the period up to and including the 10th Anniversary walk in 2008. Diane Russell has produced a tremendous compilation of the sponsored walks which includes detailed information about the landscape, buildings and history along the way. Bishop John states in his foreword to the book ‘It is wonderful to combine my interest in walking with helping to raise money for such a worthwhile cause as St Wilfrid’s Centre. Proceeds from the sale of this interesting publication about the walks and the fascinating places along the route will be adding to their funds’. Director Kevin Bradley added ‘The book celebrates the walks over the first 10 years and I am grateful to everyone who has taken part and have thoroughly enjoyed mapping out the walks each year’. The book is now on sale throughout Sheffield and also available at many churches within the diocese. If you have trouble in obtaining one however please contact Kevin at the Centre on 0114 2555720. It is hoped that the book will bring in much needed funds for St Wilfrid’s who help the homeless vulnerable and socially excluded. Kevin’s final word was ‘Diane’s book is an essential guide to the Peak District and every home should have one in 2010!'.
Keywords: baldwin's omega, st wilfrids, st wilfrid's centre, homeless, socially excluded, voluntary, volunteer, charity, sheffield, charity in sheffield, homeless charity in sheffield