FATHER Michael Dennehy, the co-ordinating pastor for the local Catholic churches and Steve Carter, an altar server at St Swithin Wells Church in Fair Oak, are making a sponsored cycle ride over 500 miles to the pilgrimage shrine in Lourdes, France.
They are raising money to help 11 young people from the area to travel to Sydney, Australia in July for World Youth Day when Pope Benedict XVI will meet with thousands of young Catholics from all over the world.
Father Michael, originally from Cork and Steve, a grandfather who are both keen cyclists have six days in which to cover the 535 miles from Caen to Lourdes.
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They will set off a week today (Sunday, May 11) on the afternoon ferry from Portsmouth to Caen, where they start pedalling.
Father Michael said: "We hope to raise in the region of £5,000. It's going to be hard work, so it's not worth doing unless we raise a substantial sum. Steve and I have done a number of training rides, we are as prepared as we can be. Many people in the local community have been helping the young people to raise money, so it's only fair that I do my bit as well".
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