A centenary pilgrimage is to be held on a Cumbrian mountain to mark the 100th birthday of a man who has been nominated to be Zimbabwe’s first saint.
John Bradburne dedicated his life to looking after the poorest, most needy leprosy patients and society’s outcasts, providing ten years of selfless physical and spiritual care. He was murdered in 1979.
The John Bradburne Memorial Society, which was founded in 1995 to help support Mutemwa Leprosy Care Centre in Zimbabwe, in memory of Mr Bradburne, raises funds for the leprosy care centre and educates people regarding Bradburne’s saintly life and his prolific poetry writings.
The society is inviting people to climb Cross Fell (as John Bradburne did), England’s highest point outside of the Lake District, just five miles from Skirwith where John Bradburne’s earliest years were spent.
The climb and return will take five-six hours. The total distance is 12km and involves a climb of 700m, so some fitness and good boots are recommended but no mountaineering skills are required, there’s a path all the way.
Prayers are being said by the Bishop of Lancaster, The Right Reverend Paul Swarbrick at the top of the fell.
To book your place and make your donation, visit www.johnbradburne.com and go onto our events page or call Kate 07979 187498 to reserve your spot.
The event will take place on September 11 from 11am.
All the money raised will go directly in helping the leprosy patients at Mutemwa, where John worked.
The society has been given permission to park in the field opposite St Lawrence’s Church at Kirkland, CA10 1RN.
