AN ANCIENT king of Northumbria will soon be seen striding across Rombald's Moor to raise money for a Guiseley church.

Rector of St Oswald's David Pickett will dress as the patron saint of his church – Oswald, King of Northumbria – to complete the 23-mile Rombald's Stride.

Rev Pickett is aiming to get sponsors to help raise money for the Guiseley Church’s Tower Fund. A total of £12,000 has been raised so far through donations and fundraising events at the Church, but the aim is to raise more than £80,000 in total for urgent structural repairs.

Rev Pickett, a former RAF flight commander, took on the challenge of walking the Three Peaks last summer, dressed as Saint Oswald, and will now attempt Rombald’s Stride – which starts and ends at St Oswald's Primary School – in the same guise.

"St Oswald’s Church is dear to many people in Guiseley, and many of them have family and historic connections here," he said.

"Hearing the bells from our tower is really part of life in Guiseley and we would hate to lose the tower if it fell into disrepair. I’m sure we can reach this target with the help of our friends."

Father Pickett’s eldest son, Isaac, 17, a business studies student at Shipley college, and explorer scout, is planning to accompany his Dad and provide moral support on the way.

The route of the long distance challenge takes in some of Yorkshire’s finest scenery, up the Airedale valley, over Rombald’s Moor to Ilkley and across Otley Chevin. The trek, organised by the 15th Airedale Scout group, must be completed within ten hours on Saturday.

Visit mydonate.bt.com/charities/stoswaldschurchguiseley for more details about sponsoring the walk or donating to the St Oswald’s Church Tower Fund.

The next planned fundraising event is a Community Concert at St Oswald’s on February 21, featuring local band The Elephant Trees and Guiseley’s community choirs, Vocal Assembly and Little Warblers.