A fundraising appeal for a rural parish church has already raised an incredible £166,000 since it was launched by a local group in 2019.
The more than £10,000 collected so far in local donations for St Sampson’s in South Hill has been enhanced by grants received or pledged from a range of local and national organisations, including £24,900 from Heritage England for high-priority works to the roof.
A huge and very welcome boost came recently in the shape of £70,000 from a private benefactor, who wishes to see a side chapel of the church restored in their family name as the Manaton Chapel.
This money goes a long way towards the £200,000 needed for the physical repair and restoration of various features, the installation of underfloor heating to create a community room in the side chapel, the installation of a WC at the base of the church tower, and a new ramped access.
But the cash also opens up more avenues to the church as it will act as all-important match funding when applying for other grants, Judith Ayers explains.
Work done so far at St Sampson’s includes a mains water connection and lighting for the path to the church, and relocation of the font to the front of church to make space at the back for a small kitchen and hospitality space.
Work to restore and replace all the windows will commence in the summer, and the most urgent of the roof works are due to start in May, along with monument restoration.
An application for Heritage Lottery funding is to be made imminently for a programme of major roof and ceiling repairs which could cost upwards of £200,000.
Judith said: “The amount that has been raised so far is an amazing achievement for a small community.
“Most funding schemes require some match funding, therefore it is essential that we continue to raise funds locally.”