The WakeHereward Project is hoping to raise the profile of Hereward the Wake, an Anglo-Saxon rebel against William the Conqueror and the hero of many Norman and English legends.

This week, the Project has organised a commemoration event in honour of Hereward and his defence of the oppressed people of the Fens at the time of the Norman Conquest.

Under the heading ‘Hereward Rising!’, his raid on Peterborough Monastery and his subsequent retreat to his stronghold on the Isle of Ely - where Ely Monastery was his base - are being commemorated.

The charity event has had medieval re-enactor, hiker and fundraiser, Lewis Kirkbride, portraying Hereward. He has hiked more than 40 miles over the past two days (June 2-3) along the Hereward Way National Walking Path, cathedral to cathedral, from Peterborough to Ely.

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Medieval re-enactor, hiker and fundraiser Lewis Kirkbride seen here as Hereward the Wake. Picture: Keith Heppell

The Very Revd, Chris Dalliston handed over the Hereward Charity Challenge Trophy to Lewis Kirkbride yesterday morning (Wednesday), which is symbolic of Hereward's raid and the gold and silver he ‘acquired’.

At Ely this evening (Thursday, June 3), a small parade comprising Hereward and his Band of Men were led by James Bowman, creator of the Fenland Flag. They arrived at Ely cathedral at around 6pm.

This year's chosen charity for the event is ManHealth and the WakeHereward Project set a target of raising £1,070 - 1070 being the year that Hereward raided Peterborough. They have already surpassed that figure.

For more information, visit herewardthewake.co.uk.

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