Ross?Town Councillor, Chris Bartrum, will be taking part in a 90-mile charity walk next month to raise money for the Friends of St Mary’s Church in Ross-on-Wye.

Cllr Bartrum will start in Monmouth on Sunday, September 30th, and walk up the western side of the Hereford Diocese during that week, aiming to end in Wollaston on Friday, October 5th.

Cllr Bartrum told the Ross Gazette:?“My aim is to walk the length of the western border of the Hereford Diocese. It will total something like 80-90 miles uphill and downhill - it’s hard to be exact as the route will twist and turn so much.”

He added: “I shall be following the Offa’s Dyke Path. While this does not exactly follow the boundary of the Diocese, it closely follows it.

“I will be brought back to Ross each night, otherwise I’m spending money in B&Bs to raise money.”

Cllr Bartrum will be passing through:

• Two countries - England and Wales

• Two Archdeaconries - Hereford and Ludlow

• Five Deaneries - Ross & Archenfield, Abbeydore, Kington & Weobley, Clun Forest and Pontesbury.

Starting in England, he will cross into Wales five times, and back into England five times.

The Friends of St Mary’s aim to find money for the church, and are always looking for fundraising events. Recently, the pews at the back of the church have been replaced, and a new kitchen area, toilets and a children’s area have been built.

John Taylor, the Chair of the Friends of St Mary’s said:?“We are set up to raise money to preserve the church. What would the town be without it? It is iconic. We consider the building for the whole of the town, regardless of faith and religion.”

Cllr Bartrum added:?“I’m doing it because I am a Friend of St Mary’s, and I like walking!

“All donations and sponsorship monies will go towards the upkeep of our historic Church at the heart of the town. I am aiming to raise £1,000.”

You can sponsor Cllr Bartum by visiting his online sponsorship page:?https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/chris-bartrum

Alternatively, sponsorship forms will be available in shops around the town.