James Foster

The Bar Convent Coast To Coast Challenge

Fundraising for The Bar Convent Trust

Story

The Bar Convent is the oldest living convent in England, based in a Grade 1 listed building in the heart of York. It is a very special place, with 48,000 people visiting every year from different backgrounds, countries and from all faiths and none. The Convent has been providing hospitality to the local community for over 300 years. Its a place where people meet, rest and are inspired to go out there and tackle the challenges of this world. It also has amazing architectural features including a wonderful Victorian atrium and an 18th century neo-classical chapel, it is truly unique!

The Convent was established in 1686 and pioneered women's education in York. It ran as a school right up until 1986 and then set up a Trust to continue its objectives, which are to support people by providing educational opportunities, to conserve its wonderful building for others to enjoy and by encouraging people to explore faith at their pace, inspired by the life experiences of others.

The Convent is undergoing a transformation this year. £2m is being spent to create a really interesting and attractive environment to create a sustainable future. They want to open their doors to a much wider audience, so are improving accessibility and signage. The Museum is also being over-hauled to create a fresh, exciting and inspirational exhibition showing the contribution of the Convent in history and how the Sisters are working around the world to help people in really desperate situations today. The building is also being redecorated and some essential facilities are being upgraded.

To raise funds I'm riding from the west to east coast (Whitehaven to Tynemouth, 140 miles) on my bike with 3 courageous friends. I have not done a sponsored event since I was about 7 and in all honesty am very shy about asking for donations. Would you consider sponsoring me for this? Any amount is a real encouragement.

Personally, I think The Bar Convent is a unique charity in the UK and is worth supporting. The Sisters have spent their lives serving others and particularly helping women make a lasting contribution in society. They now need our help, perhaps together we can help the convent serve others for another 300 years?.....

Thanks for any support you can give.

James

About the charity

The Bar Convent Trust

Verified by JustGiving

RCN 294320

www.bar-convent.org.uk

The Bar Convent Trust has objectives to support education, conservation and spiritual growth. We want visitors to be inspired by the story of our founder and those that followed her. They committed their lives to support education and particularly helped pioneer women's education, sometimes with great opposition. The Convent is committed to providing educational opportunities, conservation and encouraging people to explore faith at their pace, inspired by the life experiences of others. The Bar Convent is England's oldest living convent, founded in 1686 and still active with a resident religious community. It was established as a school for girls, and the fine 18th century buildings now house an Exhibition, Library & Archives, and gift Shop, together with well-equipped Meeting rooms, guest house Accommodation and a wonderful Café. The Bar Convent Trust was set up in 1986 to continue the Convent's objectives to support education, conservation and spiritual growth. The Convent welcomes 48,000 people annually. They visit from all backgrounds and countries and are from all faiths and none. The Convent is an essential hub for many local people providing a space to meet, be inspired, and a place of sanctuary away from the challenges of this world. The Convent has a rich history, as the oldest living convent in England and the first school for girls in York. It offers wonderful historic architectural features and a private garden for all to enjoy.