Bridge church and the whole URC celebrates with Lizzie

The Bridge United Reformed Church in the Yorkshire market town of Otley is celebrating the silver medal won by Lizzie Armitstead in the Women's Road Race at the 2012 London Olympics.

Lizzie grew up as part of the Bridge Church family where she was in Junior Church and the Bridge Church Scout Group. Her parents, John and Carol, are church members and Lizzie's grandfather, the Revd Jeff Armitstead is a retired URC minister.

Leading up to the Games, members of the church all signed a card which they sent to Lizzie, wishing her well. The congregation rushed home from morning worship to watch the race and after an exciting and nervous afternoon, saw Lizzie perform brilliantly and take second place.

Evening worship, led by the minister, the Revd Anthony Gardiner, had already been arranged as a “Sing Olympics”, with perhaps the hope that the church might be celebrating, and hopes were fulfilled as they celebrated the first medal of 2012 for the GB Team.

Church Treasurer, Andrew Howard, said:  "Many of the church members have known Lizzie since she was a baby, and have watched her progress over the years. We are all absolutely thrilled that one of our own has had such success."

The Revd Dr Michael Jagessar, Moderator of the General Assembly of the URC, added his congratulations: “This is a wonderful personal triumph, in which we are all delighted to share” he said.

Photograph: ©AFT/Getty Images. Not for re-use.