Last updated 16th October 2025

Bishop's Harvest Appeal 2025

The earth is the Lord's, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it; for He founded it on the seas and established it on the waters. Psalm 24:1

Harvest appeal raises funds for Link Diocese

The Diocese of Blackburn has a long history of valuing links with other parts of the Anglican Communion.

This year, for our Bishop’s Harvest Appeal, we are encouraging our parishes and schools to learn about the lives of Christians in our Link Diocese of Free State in South Africa and support several projects.

Bishop Dintoe, Bishop of the Free State, has identified a number of priorities which our appeal can support; these are:

Training and formation of vocation candidates and clergy;
Developing ministry to boys and young men;
Assisting the Mothers' Union and Diocesan Gender Coordinator in Gender Based Violence workshops;
Carrying out Environmental workshops in safeguarding the sanctity of the earth.

Tash Green supporting the Mosamaria After School Club. Photo credit Elisabeth Sawle

The diocese of the Free State has eight archdeaconries with a total of 69 parishes. Most recently, Tash Green, a member of the Link Diocese Committee, Elisabeth Sawle and Joy Rushton visited 27 of these parishes.

Bishop Philip's Pedal-along

To encourage giving, Bishop Philip heading off on a mammoth ‘Pedal-along' across Lancashire.

On October 17, he will be going on a bike ride in which he will visit and pray in one school or church in every single one of our 14 Deaneries.

Keep watching our social media channels for updates. The full schedule and the route for the bike ride is below.

Bishop Philip will also take a prayer written by each Deanery to the next Deanery as he goes across the County. People may wish to join him in prayer as he arrives in each Deanery.

Our school children are also being encouraged to organise their own Harvest Pedal-alongs.

The bike ride is also being promoted across all the Diocesan social media channels – including video messages to watch and share in which Bishop Philip – in full biking gear - calls for a generous response from parishes, schools and people across Lancashire. Keep following @bpblackburn @cofelancs and @BDBofE on X/Twitter; on Instagram (Bishop Philip) and Blackburn Diocese on Facebook for further updates on the day.

People are encouraged to post their own pictures to social media of the Bishop and Andy if they encounter them as they traverse Lancashire; tagging our social channels.

We are grateful for the support for our Harvest Appeals, over the years, and thankful for the generous giving of our parishes and schools.

Last year, we were able to support the women’s literacy programme, in the diocese of Multan, with a donation of £23,000.

Download the Pedal-Along poster here

Download the Pedal-Along logo here

Ways to donate to the Harvest Appeal and pedal-along

You can donate online using a credit card by clicking here where you can also Gift Aid your donation.
You can donate by cheque, payable to 'Blackburn Diocesan Board of Finance Limited (Diocese Harvest Appeal)' and send to Blackburn Diocesan Board of Finance, Diocesan Office, Clayton House, Walker Office Park, Blackburn, BB1 2QE
If you wish to make a bank transfer, please email dbfaccounts@blackburn.anglican.org and ask for the bank details, giving your name, school/parish and parish role.
You can scan the QR code on the right with your smartphone which will take you to the donation page where you can also Gift Aid your donation.
You can donate through the Parish Giving Scheme, by clicking here. Please note: THIS METHOD WILL BE AVAILABLE UNTIL 3pm ON MONDAY 13th OCTOBER AND AGAIN FROM 30 OCTOBER

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