The vicar of St. Mary's Church in Caterham, Reverend Duncan Swan, will be walking 80 miles in five days from Caterham to Canterbury to help raise funds for repairs to the church hall. Father Duncan will start his walk on Sunday 3rd April following the Mothering Sunday service at St. Mary's, aiming to reach Canterbury by the following Thursday.

Father Duncan said: "This is the second time I have done the Rector's Ramble to Canterbury. Eight years ago when I was a vicar in Redbourne near St. Albans, I walked to raise money for a new church organ. I think members of my congregation are planning to join me for parts of the walk but basically I will be on my own."

The present hall at St. Mary's was built in the 1960s and was originally intended as a temporary structure with a 25 year life span. Father Duncan said: "The hall is now well beyond its sell-by date, is dilapidated outside and requires modernisation inside. It is very well used, not just by church groups but also by the Guides, Brownies, art clubs, parent and toddler groups and others. It provides a much-needed community function in Caterham where there is a shortage of such community facilities."

The church had three options, to knock the hall down and not replace it; to knock it down and replace it at a cost of half a million pounds which is an unrealistic sum to raise, or renew the structure to extend the hall's life by another 30 years. At a cost of £80,000, renewal was the most realistic option so the church is committed to raising the funds it needs. So far their fundraising has included an excellent launch party at the British Legion and Ex-Servicemen's Club in Townend, a sponsored swim, a Pampered Chef Evening and a concert. Father Duncan is hoping to raise £2,000 with his sponsored walk to Canterbury and £1,200 has been pledged so far. Gift Aid will significantly increase the sum.

If you would like to sponsor Father Duncan on his Rector's Ramble next month, please visit www.justgiving.com/RectorsRamble