THREE churchgoers are embarking on a pilgrimage to raise money for the upkeep of their church.

Rhona Bennett, Fi Green and associate priest Revd Jonathan Plows, who are all members of the Friends of St Thomas’s Church, are setting off today for a ten-day, 170-mile pilgrimage from their church in Salisbury to the shrine of St Thomas at Canterbury Cathedral.

St Thomas’s is a church of historical significance – the Grade 1* listed building dates from about 1480, but the cathedral masons worshipped on the site as far back as 1220. The church also contains the striking Doom Painting, a medieval representation of the last judgement, above the chancel arch, which is one of the largest and best preserved in England.

Canon Revd David Linaker will set them off on their pilgrimage with a blessing at St Thomas’s Church on Sunday at 10am.

The pilgrims have raised £3,000 so far and have been offered accommodation with parish churches along the route of their journey.

For more information or to donate go to thepresentpilgrimsprogress.wordpress.com.