Vicars in their Knickers!

News Release: 24 November 2010

In mid October the Upper Holme Valley Team Ministry received a challenge from Sally Robertshaw, the Team Rector's wife. This was as a result of her seeing a BBC Songs of Praise special where, at the end of the broadcast, people were asked to challenge their ministers to do something daft for mid Children in Need day.

'Vicars in their Knickers and the Captain in his Crusties’ was the result, and Church Army Captain Mike Smithers ended up travelling the length and breadth of the Holme Valley, Yorkshire, with team colleagues Sean and Nick - all of whom were wearing large brightly coloured underpants! They were also accompanied by Di, the team vicar, who sported a very fetching pair of equally bright red and white spotted knickers. To save peoples blushes these undergarments were worn over the tops of the trousers, and everyone's modesty was successfully preserved.

The main aim of the challenge was to visit the 12 local junior and infant schools, guesting in their assemblies or classes, and collecting donations for Children in Need as they went. By the end of a very enjoyable day they had collected over £900, and hopefully dispelled a few myths about Christians taking themselves too seriously.

Radio 4 picked up the story interviewing the Team Rector on the Sunday of the week before the challenge, and the intrepid pant-wearers were even featured on regional news broadcasts on Look North on Children in Need day itself!

To read about what Mike does when he's not dressed like Superman go to Church Army Online.