Publish date: 21 October 2024
Widely known as Father Mike, and hailing from Blackburn, his background experience includes working for Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council, funeral directing and working at Manchester University Medical school for 12 years in the Anatomy department. In his early years he served with the Royal Signals in the reserves.
He was ordained in the Diocese of Blackburn in 2004. After his curacy he spent time in Scotland with the Episcopal church before returning to the Church of England in 2007 in Shrewsbury. In 2011 he was commissioned into the Royal Army Chaplains, serving 143 Brigade (WM) before its amalgamation. Latterly, he remained as chaplain to the Army Cadet Force and Mercian Regiment.
However, Mike’s journey to ministry has not been without its share of drama. In 1995 Mike was involved in a serious road traffic accident, an experience which he says was life-changing and made him aware of a different calling. Whilst recovering, the prospect of working with the Church of England appealed to him and after a six-year wait, as his convalescence continued, he was finally accepted for training.
Aside from his duties at BTH, Mike has a parish, Holy Cross which is on Central Drive in Blackpool where he spends time doing a significant amount of work with the homeless and those in need. It is something that he finds rewarding and balances well with his BTH role in the chaplaincy. Mike also works with veterans and says the role here is important to him as he gets to support staff, not just patients.
When not working at BTH or in his parish, Mike enjoys spending time with his family at Morecambe Bay and his two dogs.
