From Pulpit to Press Ups

Revd Lynn Boyle is asking for sponsorship to replace the ageing sound equipment by doing 50 press-ups and 50 sit-ups every day during November.

“We have a church sound system that isn’t fit for purpose,” she explained.

“Over the 12 months since I have been here it has just declined. Important services, like funerals and things like that, I’m finding it gives up.”

The church is already raising money to pay for vital repairs to the internal structure of the 19^th century building and Lynn said she didn’t feel she could ask for any more from her congregation than they have already given.

“So I thought well, I’m going to have to get the imagination of the local community going. So every day throughout November I’m doing 50 press-ups, 50 sit-ups, for 30 days. My aim is to try to raise £3,000.”

Lynn began her ‘Challenge 100’ straight after Sunday’s service at St Thomas’. With her congregation cheering her on, she dropped to the floor of the nave and started doing her first 50 press ups. 

The 68-year-old admits she is already very fit and does circuit training at her local gym, although she confesses she didn’t join one until she was 60.

The whole community has got behind Lynn’s fundraising efforts. Over the next four weeks Lynn is planning to do her daily challenge in different locations around High Lane, including schools, nursing homes, and even the Bulls Head pub.

“Everyone thinks I’m mad,” she added.

“But they know me well enough now and I just said ‘I’ve got to do something’, so it’s not just the congregation, it’s the whole community.”

Lynn says people can sponsor her by using the QR code via the link on St Thomas’ Facebook page, or if they live locally, there are donation buckets at Danny’s Deli, Oli the Choc, and at the church itself.