Two Cumbrian Mothers’ Union members have kicked off a 300-mile fundraising cycle ride to benefit the Bishop of Carlisle’s Harvest Appeal.

Retired hospital consultant Deb Lee - who was appointed the MU’s Cumbrian President earlier this year - has taken to the saddle alongside Action and Outreach Co-ordinator Daphne Sisson.

They plan to visit every church in Cumbria which has an MU branch. They set off from Lanercost Priory on the first of 10 legs which will take in Carlisle Cathedral, three priories and 48 churches.

Each route will average about 30 miles with Deb and Daphne also being photographed outside each of the parish churches. They plan to finish at Cartmel Priory on 30 July.

Deb explained: “The purpose of the ride is two-fold. Firstly, we want to raise both money for and awareness of the Bishop’s Harvest Appeal and, secondly, I want to meet as many members as possible.

“The Harvest Appeal is currently supporting two fantastic projects. One of those is helping women in the Democratic Republic of Congo with literary, numeracy and agricultural skills. DRC is one of the poorest countries in the world and as a result many girls do not have the opportunity to go to school.

“The MU is very active in that country and is constantly looking to help women play a much more active part in their communities. The Bishop’s Harvest appeal is also supporting the work of Christian Aid in Israel and the occupied Palestinian territories, again providing women with agricultural skills"

With about 1,000 Cumbrian Mothers’ Union members, Deb also sees the ride as a wonderful opportunity to meet as many people as possible. She and Daphne plan to hand out up to 1,000 special bags as they make the journey, each containing a knitted heart, a cross, a bar of chocolate, and information about the Harvest Appeal and sponsorship.

The Bishop of Carlisle, the Rt Rev James Newcome, has welcomed the cycle ride in aid of his Harvest appeal.

Bishop James said: “This is no small undertaking by Deb and Daphne and I am incredibly grateful to them for raising money and awareness of my Harvest Appeal."

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