A VICAR is embarking on a one-man mission to kickstart a £2 million transformation of a dilapidated church that is being “held together by tape”.

The Rev Colin Baldwin, of Saint Stephen’s Church in Prittlewell, is set to take on a 850-mile bike ride between the 20 biggest cathedral in the country.

He hopes to raise £10,000 towards the revamp of the church hall and the church itself, but more cash will be needed to bring the church back up to scratch.

He said the project has been 15 years in the making and the church can no longer run youth clubs - which previously attracted more than 1,000 children - and other community events.

The congregation leader says the 70-year-old church has no hot water, crumbling window frames, rotten floors, and some internal walls are even being “held together by tape”.

He said: “The church hall building is dilapidated and is now unusable, and the church itself needs work and upgrading too.

“It will cost about £2 million to do the whole project and building costs are constantly going up. We want to do it in phases and start with a community café and plan to use second hand containers for the build.

“We can’t do it without the fundraising and me doing this bike ride. We are desperate to get these new facilities for the community.

“We cannot play our pivotal role in the community and run our youth clubs and other events. The community wants it to happen as well and is as frustrated as we are about it all.”

Mr Baldwin will set off on June 20 from Guildford on the gruelling, ten-day journey.

The ride will travel through Oxford, Birmingham, Derby, Lincoln and many other towns and cities.

He added: “I’ve been training since January and do it about twice a week. I am excited about it but also a little scared, the route has lots of hills.

“I am doing mostly strength training and it’s been hard work but you have to put the effort and time into it.

“It will be great to achieve it and I am looking forward to it. I took on a similar event in 2019 when I cycled around 21 cathedrals in the south.”

Planning permission for the new build was granted in December 2021. The church in Alton Gardens is currently operating from the former vicarage 213 Manners Way.

To donate visit justgiving.com/fundraising/saintstephens1000x1000s