MEMBERS of Copplestone Methodist Church joined a nationwide cycle pilgrimage to raise money for and awareness of people persecuted for holding a religious belief.

The United Nations Declaration of Human Rights states that all people should have the right to practise their religious belief.

Yet across the world Christians, Jews, Muslims, Buddhists and others are persecuted for wanting to be different from a country’s dominant norm.

The Rev Robert de Berry, a retired Anglican vicar, is undertaking a cycling pilgrimage of more than 900 miles from North Foreland Lighthouse in East Kent to Land’s End and back again with the aim of raising funds for two charities who support people persecuted for their faith.

Moving between churches on the south coast, at each of the stages he is being joined by Christians of every denomination, with the overall aim of raising £250,000 to be split equally between Release International (which supports and advocates for persecuted Christians) and Christian Solidarity Worldwide (which supports and advocates for people of all persecuted faiths).

Each church provides food, showers, and overnight b and b for riders doing more than one stage.

From Copplestone Methodists Sean Schofield, Nathan Radstone and Martin Greig joined the 48-mile stage on June 9 between Plymouth and Exeter.

Just to demonstrate their fitness, Sean and Nathan then cycled back to Copplestone from Exeter as well!

Pete Martin and Andy Miller, also from Copplestone Church, provided vehicle back up for the stage.

The pilgrimage, which started mid-May, finishes in East Kent on Saturday, June 25.

Should you wish to show solidarity with and support these two organisations go to: www.justgiving.com/fundraising/robert-de-berry .