A CLERGYMAN at Worcester Cathedral has completed a marathon couplet challenge after reciting poetry continuously for 30 hours.
The Very Rev Peter Atkinson, Dean of Worcester, managed to read 25,000 lines of poetry during his Rimes in Time challenge, which started at 9am on Thursday, August 29, and ended at 3pm on Friday, August 30.
His effort helped to raise funds for the upkeep of the cathedral.
Mr Atkinson said: “I am very grateful for the generosity of the cathedral community, and the wider community of the city, county and beyond.
“The money raised by Rimes in Time will help us to meet the urgent needs of the cathedral, keeping it as a place of welcome, music and education.”
Taking only short breaks at the end of each hour, he emerged from his marathon, which included reading Dante’s Divine Comedy in its entirety, slightly hoarse but otherwise unscathed.
To date, with donations still coming in, he has raised more than £12,000 for the cathedral.
Contributions to the Rimes in Time fund are still being collected and can be donated by contacting Nick Drew, director of fund-raising on 01905 732912, or by visiting justgiving.com/ RimesinTime.
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