David — Lord of the Ring and Ride

Lord of the ring and ride . . . David Ireland with Jemma Fitton, a fund-raiser at Francis House

A MAN of the cloth dressed in a flowing gown will become Lord of the Ring and Ride to help pensioners join in the Saddleworth Beer Walk.

The Rev David Ireland, minister at the Union Street United Reformed Church, Oldham, will dress as Gandalf from the blockbuster “Lord of the Rings” films on Saturday and shepherd the old folks around their villages as the colourful beer walk passes.

David, who is also chief executive of Francis House Children’s Hospice, decided to don the robes after hearing that the pensioners’ Ring and Ride bus service will be suspended during the walk.

Assisting him will be the new hospice fundraiser for the Oldham area, Jemma Fitton, who’s playing the role of Arwen Evenstar — played by Liv Tyler in the films.

Francis House is the chosen charity for the beer walk this year, and the theme is “Lord of the Ringpulls”.

David, who lives in Dobcross, has asked senior citizens to walk with him the length of their street, as a way of joining in without having to tackle the hilly route.

He said: “I felt I had to play a part while people were supporting the hospice. I grew up with the beer walk being a highlight of the calendar and so was delighted to hear the President of the Round Table had chosen Francis House as his charity for 2010.

“Taking on the ‘Lord of the Rings’ theme, I thought about all those people who would like to take part in the fun of the walks but who may be put off by the distance involved.”

There is no charge to join one of the walks but people taking part will have an opportunity to raise funds along the way for the hospice.

To register to walk with David contact Jemma Fitton on 0161-443 2200.

The timetable is: Uppermill, 12.30pm, meet at Saddleworth Museum, walking to the Brownhills Centre; Delph, 1.30pm, meet at Millgate Theatre, walking to the Independent Chapel; Diggle, 3pm, meet at Hanging Gate, walking to Saddleworth Church.