A RETIRED vicar is leading a team of 40 cyclists on a pilgrimage by bike across southern England.

The ‘bike pilgrimage’ kicked off on May 14 at North Foreland Point’s Lighthouse - Kent’s most easterly point - and will arrive in Penzance on June 6. The group will then loop back and conclude the challenge at the Kent lighthouse on June 25.

Reborne Community Church in Sherborne is the starting point for the 11th day of the challenge today with Robert de Berry speaking at the church at 9.30am before leading the group as they set off for Taunton.

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Remarkably Mr de Berry will celebrate his 80th birthday on Saturday, June 25 - the last day of the challenge.

The bike ride will raise funds for two charities - ‘CSW’ and ‘Release’ - which advocate for freedom of religion or belief for those of all faiths worldwide. Whilst the charities are both Christian-led organisations they seek to raise awareness of all religious persecution.

Mr de Berry said: “It is a journey of prayer and we are hoping that about forty churches will host us. Local Christians will be invited to join us in prayer for those who are suffering for their faith.”

In 2017 a similar initiative by Mr de Berry raised £60,000.

For more details visit: www.csw.org.uk/bikepilgrim