PARISHES within Sherborne have been recognised for their impressive fundraising efforts by the Dorset Historic Churches Trust (DHCT).

A gathering recently took place at Sherborne Abbey as part of an annual celebration of fundraising.

Parishes were recognised for their participation in last year's Ride+Stride fundraising event, which takes place every September.

In this annual event, participants are encouraged to walk, ride or cycle to as many churches as possible in eight hours.

Since 1999, the Morshead Trophy has been presented each year to the parish which achieved the most impressive results.

The Morshead Trophy is named after the Trust's founder Sir Owen Morshead.

Parishes within Sherborne raised £2,200. To mark this achievement, parish organiser and rider Dr Jo Higgs received the trophy from the High Sheriff of Dorset, Sir Philip Williams Bt.

The ceremony attracted more than 50 guests from participating churches across Dorset.

Dr Higgs expressed her thanks to the Trust for its support in fundraising, which goes towards churches throughout the county.

Last year's Ride+Stride event collected a record sum of £84,000.

Simon Pomeroy, chairman of the Trust, congratulated the parish and those who took part in the fundraising event.

He said: "Last year, the event raised £84,000, a record total. The Trust intends to award a further £100,000 in grants to Dorset’s churches in 2016 and that just would not be possible without the hundreds of riders and striders, and the thousands of sponsors backing them.

"Sherborne’s parishes are worthy winners and we look forward to this year’s Ride and Stride on Saturday, September 10."

The Ride+Stride is the Trust's main source of income. It involves around 200 parish and church communities across Dorset.

Last year's amount exceeded the previous year's total by £3,000. Half of the funds raised are returned to parishes nominated by participants.

For more information about this year's Ride+Stride event, please visit rideandstrideuk.org/

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