A 98-YEAR-OLD veteran will be joining thousands of people in raising money for his local church in Codford.

Colonel Michael Elcomb will be taking part in Ride and Stride for Churches on his mobility scooter today (Saturday, September 14) in aid of St Mary's Church in Codford.

As an Officer in the King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry, he saw action during the Second World War in Malta, Sicily and Germany and in North Africa, where he was wounded.

Colonel Michael Elcomb said: “Churches are such important historic buildings and do so much to keep communities together. That’s why we must keep them in good repair.

"Good luck to the many people around the country who will be Riding and Striding and raising funds to keep England’s churches in shipshape condition."

Ride and Stride for Churches is a sponsored event in which people walk or cycle between churches.

The money raised helps fund urgent repairs and the installation of modern facilities at historic churches, chapels and meeting houses. Last year the event raised over £1.3 million.

Colonel Elcomb has already had £760 pledged in sponsorship money.

National Ride and Stride for Churches chairman Hilary Cakebread Hall said: “Churches are so important spiritually and aesthetically, and they are the setting for some of the most important events in all of our lives – baptisms, weddings and funerals.

“They are also increasingly becoming a focus for the wider community, and ‘Ride and Stride for Churches’ helps them do this by keeping them in good repair and funding kitchens and heating that make them available to the public for events every day of the week, not just for Sunday services."

Ride and Stride for Churches started in 1981 as a sponsored bike ride but quickly became a national event.

It is organised locally by county church trusts with national support provided by the National Churches Trust.