HE HOLDS medals for cross-country running, but had not done any running since he became a bishop 15 years ago. Nevertheless, the Bishop of Lincoln, Dr John Saxbee, dressed up as Santa Claus and, with 1500 others, ran 3.5 km round the Lincoln Cathedral Quarter to raise money for the St Andrew’s Children’s Hospice, in Grimsby, and the Lincolnshire and Nottinghamshire Air Ambulance.
“Normally I am out taking services,” he said, “but this year I was based at the cathedral; so I was able to take part. I didn’t think I would be able to run that far; so I’m pleased I managed it, but I’m glad I went to church and said my prayers first, as I think I needed them.”
His wife, Jackie, said that “he surprised himself by being able to break into a trot, save for walking up the hilly bits, and ended up not that far behind our MP, Gillian Merron, who prides herself on being fit. He thinks he will [have raised] £300 for his efforts.”