The Bishop of Blackburn, Rt Rev Philip North, has thanked everyone who supported his 100k walk through Lancashire at the weekend and all who are continuing to raise money for the Bishop's Harvest Appeal.

From September 15-17, the Bishop and his Chaplain, Rev Sam Cheesman, traversed the County from the very north down to Preston and across to Blackburn Cathedral in time for Evensong on the Sunday. They worshipped at Ribbleton Parish Church on the Sunday morning before the final leg of their mammoth trek.

The route for the 100k walk followed various canals across the County and took in many towns, villages and cities including Yealand Conyers, Borwick, Carnforth, Torrisholme, Lancaster, Galgate, Forton, Garstang, Woodplumpton, Preston, Bamber Bridge, Feniscowles and Blackburn.

Bishop Philip launched his 2023 Harvest Appeal last month to support the people of the South Sudanese Diocese of Liwolo; currently living in exile in Uganda following years of civil war in their homeland.

For coverage of the walk on BBC Radio Lancashire, click here for a preview interview with Bishop Philip (from 2h 06m 30s) before the walk and click here for coverage on during Joe Wilson's programme from the Sunday morning programme that aired September 17.

Bishop Philip said: “Whilst our plan was to walk 100km across the beautiful county of Lancashire, our real aim was to raise awareness of the Harvest Appeal and money for the Diocese of Liwolo. Liwolo Diocese has been in exile for more than six years since South Sudan entered civil war. Their people want to return home but with a struggling state the Church has a lot of responsibility with regards to feeding people, building houses and establishing clean water sources. It is my hope that all the money raised by us walking 100km will go to making the return home for some of the poorest people in the world a little bit easier.”

You do not have to attend one of our churches or schools to donate to the Harvest Appeal; anyone can help. More details of how to do so are at the end of the story.

Visit our Harvest Appeal page here to read even more about this year’s appeal.

Making a donation …

• Donate online using a debit or credit card by clicking here. (select 'One-Off Gift and add Gift Aid if appropriate).
• Donate by cheque, payable to 'Blackburn Diocesan Board of Finance Limited (Diocese Harvest Appeal)' and send to Blackburn Diocesan Board of Finance, Diocesan Office, Clayton House, Walker Office Park, Blackburn, BB1 2QE.
• A QR code to enable donations is also available on the Harvest Appeal page linked to above.

Captions for the above pictures, top to bottom:

• Pic1 - Harvest Walk – (l-r) Rev Canon Gary O’Neill, the Canon Precentor of Blackburn Cathedral; The Rt Rev Philip North, Bishop of Blackburn; The Very Rev Peter Howell-Jones, Dean of Blackburn Cathedral; Rev Sam Cheesman, the Bishop’s Chaplain and Rev Canon James Lawrence, the Canon Missioner of Blackburn Cathedral.
• Pic2 - Harvest Walk – Bishop Philip
• Pic3 - Harvest Walk – Rev Sam Cheesman and Bishop Philip
• Pic4 - Harvest Walk - Rev Sam Cheesman and Bishop Philip