The ‘Singing Vicar’ is to embark on a tuneful marathon to raise money for a charity providing shelter and support for the world’s needy.

The president of Northallerton Mowbray Rotary Club, the Rev Robert Williamson, will attempt to sing continuously for three hours at The Methodist Church, High Street, Northallerton to raise funds for ShelterBox.

As the Rev Williamson’s singathon - on Saturday, May 20 - is soon after King Charles’ coronation, all the hymns and songs will include king or crown in their content.

The singathon will take place between 10am and 1pm. Everyone is welcome to call at the church and hear him sing. The Coffee Pot at the church will be open for refreshments.

The Rev Williamson, the former Vicar of St Cuthbert’s, Darlington, and the parishes of the Otteringtons and Thornton-le-Street between Northallerton and Thirsk, is renowned for his singing marathons. He said ShelterBox was his nominated international charity for the current Rotary year.

He added: “ShelterBox does important work around the world, most recently in providing shelter to the victims of the devastating earthquakes in Turkey and Syria.

“I would love to see as many people as possible on the day but club members have sponsorship forms and details of how to donate online can be found on the club website.”

ShelterBox provides much needed support to individuals and families around the world where shelter and life-sustaining support is needed. The charity is active in many countries including Ukraine, Pakistan, East Africa, Yemen, Mozambique and Burkina Faso, and more recently Turkey and Syria.