Gardener cycles from London to Jerusalem for persecuted Christians

Selfie by the roadside in France © Andrew Foote

Source: Aid to the Church in Need

With temperatures topping 32°C, only three hours' sleep and a headwind pushing against him, Andrew Foote could be forgiven for seeing his 2,246-mile cycle ride to Jerusalem as an endurance challenge.

Instead, the 32-year-old gardener insists it is something very different - a pilgrimage inspired by Christians who travel much further, and face far greater risks, simply to worship.

Andrew set off from Westminster Cathedral in London on 15th August on a 12-week journey to Jerusalem hoping to raise £10,000 for Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) which supports suffering and persecuted Christians.

Now two-thirds of the way through France, having cycled 600 miles (1,000km) with 2,000 more to go, he still faces the daunting task of crossing Italy, Greece, Turkey and Jordan before reaching Israel.

He said: "At this point I'm praying I'll can get into Israel, I'm trying not to have too many expectations at this point because it's a very volatile situation in the region."

The physical demands of the pilgrimage are significant. On one particularly difficult day, Andrew battled extreme heat and fatigue after sleeping for just three hours.

"It was 32 degrees and I had wind in my face, but all in all it's been going quite well," he said. "I've been covering 60 to 70 miles per day. It's starting to get much hotter. It's like God is helping me acclimatise before I get to Italy and Greece."

There are moments when the strain catches up with him.

Andrew admits feeling pretty saddle sore sometimes but says preparing the route was harder than cycling it.

He added: "I found the planning of this way more difficult than the actual practice of the pilgrimage. I do quite a physically taxing job as a gardener, so that helps with my stamina."

As Andrew pedalled through endless fields of harvested wheat and towering sunflowers, and reminders of the faith that inspired his journey were never far away.

"I'm seeing loads of little crucifixes on entering villages on the roadside. It's a constant reminder that what I'm doing isn't an endurance exercise, rather than a pilgrimage, and it's a marathon, not a sprint."

Statues of the Blessed Virgin Mary and the Child Jesus also help keep him focused, especially when doubts begin to creep in.

He said: "The golden bullet of why I'm doing all of this is my memory of going to Mary's House in Turkey last year. When I think of that, the doubts go from darkness to like someone's just flicked a switch and a light's come on. It's a game changer."

While carrying a speaker and listening to music also help, prayer remains central to the journey. Andrew prays the Rosary as he rides and frequently stops in churches to rest and reflect.

Along the way, he has encountered what he describes as moments of providence, including receiving the Sacrament of Reconciliation from a priest from Togo.

He said: "He was the right man in the right moment. He could just about speak English. It's a lovely vibe."

Andrew described the French people he has encountered as "delightful" and recounted communicating with religious sisters through translation apps.

Despite the miles still ahead, his thoughts are fixed on Jerusalem: "What I'm most looking forward to is putting my hand on the stone in the Holy Sepulchre. That's where Christ conquered death and where our religion was born. It's the greatest story and the greatest legacy ever."

Andrew's fundraising pilgrimage is a gesture of solidarity with Christians who face persecution around the world. Reflecting on their witness, he urged fellow believers not to take their faith for granted.

"Make the most of going to Mass. Don't take Mass or confession for granted. Just remember the lengths Christians go to just to go to Mass. Some people around the world wake up not knowing if their church will still be there. It's something I'm very mindful of."

Thanking supporters for their encouragement and prayers, he added: "I could do with all the prayers. I can feel people are praying for me."

To support Andrew visit: https://acnuk.org/cycle4hope

This year ACN marks the 10th anniversary of #RedWednesday with its £1Million4Hope Matched Challenge, where all donations are doubled - helping us bring hope to persecuted Christians.

To learn more about #RedWednesday, and how you could get involved like Andrew click here. https://acnuk.org/redwednesday