Church-goers in the Spen Valley have raised money to help break the chains of poverty in Tanzania.

The congregation at St Philip and St James’ Church in Scholes, near Cleckheaton, have bought 10 £70 bikes for their link church in the village of Luanda.

Vicar of Scholes, Hartshead, Hightown and Roberttown, the Rev Richard Burge, said the money will boost the local economy and help the poorest villagers break out of poverty.

“The poorest people in the world often have no means of transport,” said Mr Burge.

“But with a bicycle they can start to make simple changes in their lives. Without a bike they have to walk to market, they can’t carry a lot and it takes ages to get anywhere.

“With a bicycle they can carry more, so get a better price for anything they sell, and it takes them a fraction of the time.

“Small things like this can make huge changes to the poorest people.”

The Scholes church has been linked with Luanda in the Ryogoro area of Tanzania for many years and has sent footballs, mosquito nets, goats and many other items over past years.

“We hope to send money for more bicycles to all four of our link parishes as part of our Harvest Festival,” said Mr Burge.

“It is a great opportunity to be able to make a great difference and I guess that sending bicycles from Yorkshire as we prepare for the start of the Tour de France is particularly fitting.”

Keeping up the sporting theme, the congregations in the four parishes have more than a passing interest in the football World Cup.

Mr Burge has organised a fantasy football competition across the four churches with those taking part selecting eight teams to follow.

Points are then awarded for how well each team performs in Brazil.

More than 100 people are involved and Mr Burge said: “Our fantasy competitions have become a fun part of church life.

“We have a competition for the football season each year and from September to Christmas is our Fantasy Strictly Come Dancing competition too!

“It has been a great way to involve people of all ages and to bring the churches together.”

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