Vicar reaches 165km on pilgrimage in aid of families in Ukraine

Rev Brunel James, together with Dr Alex Bunn and Rev Greg Downes, are currently walking 215km across northern Spain to the cathedral at Santiago de Compostela.

The group is praying for peace in Europe, and that some kind of ceasefire may be in place in Ukraine by the time they reach the end of their journey in two days' time on Friday, April 1.

Yesterday (Tuesday) the group reached a total of 165km.

Rev James said: "This shared tradition of pilgrimage speaks of a Europe at peace, and united in prayer, and inspires us all to hope and pray for better things.

"If you would like to join us in prayer, we will be stopping each day wherever we are on our journey at noon (GMT) and broadcasting on Facebook - ‘Churches Together in Cleckheaton’."

The walkers are also fundraising for St John the Evangelist Church Cleckheaton’s Family and Children’s Fund, which they use for work across the Benefice of Cleckheaton.

Rev James added: "We would like to send donations to the churches working with refugees close to Ukraine and also support any Ukrainian refugees who get placed in the Spen Valley.

"If anyone locally is considering signing up with the Government to accommodate Ukrainian refugees, please be assured that we would be able to support these efforts as church communities."

So far, the group has raised a total of £824.

Donations can be made via the Justgiving page at https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/brunel-james

Sponsor forms are also available at the back of St John's Church. However, donations can also be made directly to the church's bank account via the following details: account number 30348840, sort code 05-03-73. The account name is Cleckheaton St John's Church (charity number 1134821).