Last updated 10:40, Friday, 28 November 2008

A MUSIC-LOVING Cumbrian vicar will play 50 hymns in five hours to raise much-needed funds for his church.

• Watch a video clip....

Reverend Clive Shaw from St Kentigern's Church

The Reverend Clive Shaw’s musical marathon takes place at St Kentigern’s Church in Aspatria on Saturday, December 6.

He hopes his sponsored efforts will raise hundreds of pounds to plug a gap in the parish’s annual budget.

The 54-year-old said: “I’ve always loved music so this seemed a better way to raise funds than abseiling or doing a parachute jump.

“I’ll play most hymns on the organ but some on the piano and keyboard. People have been choosing their favourites and listing them on the master sheet.

“I like most hymns but I’ll just grit my teeth through those I’m not too keen on.”

The recital will begin at 11am and Mr Shaw is hoping that people will come and sing along to those that they have chosen. The final list of 50 is still being compiled.

Worshippers at St Kentigern have to raise about £50,000 each year towards the cost of the clergy and maintaining the building - and this year they are shy of that figure.

Mr Shaw, who used to be head of music at a school in south Cumbria before being ordained, is not new to this sort of challenge.

He said: “I did 10 hours once for Christian Aid but that was about 20 years ago - I’ll be taking a short break every hour this time.”