TOUR DE HALLAM DAY 2

June 3rd 2025.

These days it is fashionable to talk about the poor. Unfortunately, it is not fashionable to talk to them. Mother Teresa

Today we completed Day 2 of the Tour de Hallam. Cycling through Rotherham, Doncaster, Stainforth and Moorends, with lots of lovely places on the way,  seemed at times hard, not least because of the road surfaces which today have had a direct impact on parts of my anatomy!  Every welcome we received, however, and the generosity of everyone we met, made every single mile (and pothole) of the journey worthwhile.

Exactly a year ago today, I was sat in Northern General holding my Dad’s hand, like I had for the seven days prior to June 3rd 2024. On June 3rd I had to let go, knowing that I’d been right there, as with my Mum, at the end of their life. I am including this not because I want to impact on the positive nature of this event but because both Mum and Dad demonstrated the very essence of what St Wilfrid’s Centre stands for and many of the reasons behind why I have completed this tour.  My Dad was an Anglican priest, mainly in Sheffield, for all of his adult life and both of them believed that practical Christianity, social justice and pastoral care should be at the heart of parish life.  Father Kilgannon demonstrated this when he had the vision for the Centre and the determination to make it a reality 34 years ago. What we all have to ask is; would the same be possible today?

Talking to people at each church, some of the things said that have really resonated with me today are in relation to the place that pastoral care has in the life of priests and parishes. I think Jesus would have cycled miles if it meant those most in need were helped and those without a voice were heard.

I know my Dad spent hours walking round parishes visiting those in need and helping those he could. The vicarage always provided an open door (and a sandwich if needed).  My Mum set up a playgroup in Manor Park and helped run a luncheon club. Cycling 220 miles is nothing compared to any of that but seeing individuals today providing a welcome and support, children wishing us well (and even showing the dance they had created specially), cups of tea, kind words and chocolate cake freely given were the best reminders anyone could have of the values that matter. If this week’s challenge helps raise much needed money for the Centre, that will be fantastic (and a huge relief given the financial problems that we and all charities face) but if it also reminds people of the very people we all need to be supporting, then every ache and pain will fade into insignificance.

I did spare some thoughts today for what I was doing a year ago but the sadness was overcome by the knowledge that my Dad’s advice to everyone that what you most need to be able to do is ‘Live with your own conscience’ was demonstrated by everyone we met and the understanding that this is what St Wilfrid’s Centre represents in terms of talking to and caring about those in need.

 Indifference towards those in need is not acceptable for a Christian. Pope Francis