29th September 2026

Mud glorious mud! Bishop and clergy set to tackle assault course

The Bishop of Blackburn, Rt Rev Philip North, will lead more than 50 clergy (complete with dog collars) into a quagmire this weekend as they tackle a muddy assault course to raise money for this year's Bishop's Harvest Appeal.

Any clergy who haven’t taken the plunge yet and signed up still have time to do so. Full sign-up details, alongside how to donate to the appeal are on the Diocesan website.

The event, at Whitehough Outdoor Centre in Barley in the Pendle area of Lancashire, will see clergy taking on a series of obstacles to support the Jehovah Rapha Healthcare Centre in the Diocese of Liwolo, South Sudan.

Led by Bishop Joseph Aba, Liwolo is a link Diocese of the Diocese of Blackburn  

While families of the clergy taking part on Saturday will attend to support, please note, due to restricted parking at the venue, the event is not open for general attendance.

The money raised will help to provide essential healthcare in a region facing a growing medical crisis, following the planned withdrawal of support from Médecins Sans Frontières in a region that has been affected by a series of crises in recent times.

The event will feature on Bishop Philip’s social channels on Facebook and Instagram in collaboration with the social channels of the Diocese and the Diocesan Board of Education.

Clergy taking part who are on socials are encouraged to post and tag all the above accounts. Across the Diocese people are also being encouraged to support the appeal through parallel local church and school fundraising activities and to post about those on social media too; again tagging the Bishop’s and diocesan accounts for reposts.

All donations for the healthcare centre will help to fund medicines, healthcare provision, solar lighting, clean water and support for frontline medical staff serving communities in Liwolo. Find all the ways to give to the appeal on the Blackburn Diocese website.

Speaking today, Bishop Philip said: “We try to do something different and fun every year to encourage as many contributions as possible to the Harvest Appeal.

“This time the idea is to invite clergy from across Lancashire to spend a Saturday morning wearing their dog collars while scrambling over obstacles, wading through mud and making complete spectacles of themselves! Thankfully, more than 50 have already said yes!

"More are still welcome to get involved, so if there are any brave souls still thinking about it, this is your final encouragement to sign up and join us! It will be great fun, but ultimately it's about something far more important.

"Because this year's Harvest Appeal is supporting our friends in the Diocese of Liwolo in South Sudan, led by the amazing Bishop Joseph Aba, who remains focussed two key things – the hope we have in Jesus and helping his people recover and to thrive in the future.

“The appeal will help sustain vital healthcare for some of the poorest and most vulnerable people in the world at a time of real need. A few muddy obstacles in Barley will be a minor challenge compared to the challenges being faced by the communities we're supporting.

“Whether you join us on the course, sponsor someone taking part or simply make a donation, please help us make a real difference. Find details of the appeal and how to give on the Blackburn Diocese website www.blackburn.anglican.org search ‘harvest appeal’.”

Captions for the above pictures:

• Bishop Philip does a trial run on the assault course in Barley before the main event this weekend
• The logo for this year's harvest appeal