St Patrick’s Supporters’ Peak Performance!

On Saturday 22 August, a dozen walkers set out in very changeable weather to attempt what this year is being called the ‘Yorkshire ONE Peak Challenge’.

Among those who started out from the Ribblehead Viaduct were THREE Peaks Challenge ‘regulars’, Jackie Kirton and family, from the Parish of Our Lady and St Joseph in Cottingley. The family complete the walk each year, last year raising £1,505.24 between them for St Patrick’s Mission in Bradford.

After successfully completing this year’s Challenge, Jackie said:

‘My family and I choose to support the friars as we recognise and admire the essential help that they give to the poor and hungry within the Bradford community. The Friars are funded solely by donations therefore fund raising is an essential financial lifeline for them.’

‘We feel proud to walk alongside the friars because in a society where religion and religious values have taken a back seat, the friars are visible examples of the values that underpin the Catholic faith. They devote their lives entirely to God and to helping others.’

Here is the walkers’ progress in pictures, courtesy of Diocese of Leeds Chief Operating Officer, Ian Burrell (who this year made it a TWO Peak Challenge by walking the Whernside route twice: the second time in torrential rain)!

Thanks to a a generous grant from the Albert Gubay Foundation in 2018-19, St Patrick’s Church in Bradford was completely renovated and is run by the Franciscan Friars of the Renewal as part of their mission to care for the poor and homeless, as well as for the spiritual and pastoral needs of all those who work in and visit Bradford’s city centre.

It costs around £25,000 a year to heat and light St Patrick’s Mission – and it’s not too late to add to the total sponsorship of all those who ‘walked the walk’ … Your generous support will be gratefully welcomed via the Just Giving page: https://bit.ly/39zPBEK