A vicar at St. Johns Church in Ranmoor is undertaking the difficult Coast to Coast challenge to raise money to repair the Church’s deteriorating tower and spire. 

Reverend Matthew Rhodes is planning to complete the taxing long-distance walk challenge in April, starting in Cumbria and ending in North Yorkshire. The Coast to Coast challenge is 192 miles long, almost as long as the spire is in feet.

The Reverend hopes to raise £5,000 to add to the £1 million the church urgently needs by this year. 

Reverend Rhodes said: “I like the variety of working here… It’s just a privilege to work with people at important times in their lives.”

The church was built in 1879 but was almost completely destroyed by a fire in 1887, with only the tower and spire surviving. Since its opening it has been a staple of the Sheffield skyline, and a ‘beacon of prayer and hope’ for the community.

He added: “A lot of life events have happened here, lots of people got married here, been baptised, had their funerals.”

The Coast to Coast path passes through scenic National Parks like the Yorkshire Dales and usually takes around 16 days to complete, though Reverend hopes to complete it in 13. 

Reverend Rhodes said: “Just knowing that lots of people are sponsoring me, and supporting me, and praying for me will keep me going.”

The ‘Save Our Spire’ appeal was launched last year, and is a part of the church’s wider long-term plan to transform the building. This includes goals like installing accessible toilets and underfloor heating, and making space for the Sunday school.

St Johns collects fortnightly for the Burngreave Foodbank, hosts a Wednesday Lunch Club for its elderly parishioners, and has previously raised money for the local Weston Park Cancer Charity. 

For those who want to help but can’t donate, ‘talking about it, telling other people about it’ and just stopping in would support the cause, according to the Reverend.

The Reverend’s donation page is available on JustGiving, Matthew Rhodes is fundraising for St John’s Church, Ranmoor. Donations directly to the church can be made by through their website www.stjohnsranmoor.org.uk/sos or through calling their office at 0114 230 1199.