St Mary Magdalene
New Bells for Richmond
raised of £240,000 target
- September 2026 -
Preachathon hits the ringers’ target
The Richmond bell ringers celebrated an astonishing finale to their fund raising campaign for new bells on September 22. By the end of the Richmond Preachathon the event had raised £22,371 to be shared with the Richmond Soup Kitchen. Within days, further contributions brought this figure to £24,197 as donations passed the original Crowdfunder target of £20,000.
The totals included a further £900 from the auction of an original sketch given by the Gruffalo illustrator Axel Scheffler. When added to the total already raised by the ringers, tower captain Jackie Harrison announced the total for the New Bells for Richmond campaign had reached £234,943.
The Preachathon was a dawn to dusk marathon by the vicar of St Mary Magdalene, the Rev Robert Stanier. It was supported by a range of local personalities including Sophie Raworth, Greg Dyke, Axel Scheffler and the Rev Canon Dr Giles Fraser who joined Robert for interview and discussion.
Vicar Robert Steiner and journalist Sophie Raworth © Sisi Burn Photography
Vicar Robert Stanier with Gruffalo illustrator Axel Scheffler
‘I feel elated to have completed the challenge and pleased that it worked on several levels,’ said Robert whose guests included a sixth form group from Christ’s School whose students quizzed the vicar in a question and answer session. ‘I feel it was a good event for the church in Richmond.’
Sophie Raworth, accompanied by her dog Luna, talked about the potential impact of AI on news reporting, Students from Christ’s School and the Richmond MP Sarah Olney by video, asked about Christian attitudes to assisted dying - and were told there’s not much guidance from the scriptures. Greg Dyke asked about the afterlife and Robert said he believed he would experience everlasting life but was not sure what form it would take.
Music Director Seb Gillot performs with the SMM choir
Vicar Robert Stanier alongside the total funds raised
Almost 500 people visited the church during the day to hear Robert preaching and explaining the context to well and lesser known biblical passages.
Congregations needn’t expect more marathon preaching just yet, however. The vicar said: ‘This was a one-off. I‘ll be back to my usual 12-minute sermons in future.’