Church organist’s pedal-powered fundraiser
A church organist from North Tyneside is set to cycle 1,000 miles in support of an ambitious fundraising project.
Nigel Brown, who plays the Postill organ at St John’s Church in Killingworth, will visit nine other churches on his journey.
This comes as part of a huge fundraising campaign which aims to raise £600,000 to re-model the North side of the church, helping to restore the organ back to its former glory.
Given his combined loves of playing the organ and cycling, Nigel has nicknamed himself the ‘Pedal Powered Pilgrim’ ahead of his adventure, which will include several missions over the coming months.
For the first leg of his journey Nigel will set off from his home in Morpeth and head north into Scotland, cycling to Dunbar, over the Forth Bridge and across Fife to Dundee.
From there, he will head to Arbroath, attending mass at St Thomas The Martyr Catholic Church, before reaching Aberdeen on Sunday.
Later parts of the challenge include him travelling through the North and the Midlands, before heading south to the chapel at Blenheim Palace in Oxfordshire.
His fitness and training programme has included him getting into the routine of cycling to work from Morpeth to Ashington.
On the prospect of his daunting task, Nigel said: “It is a real privilege to play the Postill organ at St John’s, and as an organist and a cyclist I just had this idea of cycling to other churches where they are present.
“I see it as a fait accompli and I hope it raises awareness of these historic organs as well as supporting the fundraising campaign.”
St John’s Church was built before Killingworth town existed, meaning that the north side of the church which faces the town is an uninspiring wall.
But plans aim to open it up with a new entrance with step-free access, as well as toilets, a serving area, much-needed storage space and an eco-friendly heating system.
The Rev Sarah Moon, Priest in Charge of Killingworth Parish, revealed that the church hopes to secure two two-thirds of the £600,000 fundraising total through grants, but the congregation is aiming to raise the other £200,000 through various activities, including Nigel’s cycle ride.
Ms Moon added: “This is an ambitious project, but we want to set our church up for the next 155 years.”