St. Mary's 600 Appeal update

We are two thirds of the way to having enough money to have our church heating replaced and we need the help of all of you to support our push for the final forty thousand pounds needed. Here are a number of ways you can help please:

• DONATIONS ─We are looking for nine more people to offer a £1,000 donation and, if your donation is Gift Aided, then the church would receive another £250 for each thousand! It doesn’t even have to be paid as a lump sum; you could commit to £20 per week for the year. Please think about whether you can help your church in this way so this very important piece of work can begin. That commitment alone would give us a quarter of what is needed.

• ONLINE AUCTION ─ Covid-19 means we are completely scuppered as far as social events are concerned so we intend to have an online auction of quality items. We have already been offered several paintings of local scenes, a candlestick, use of a holiday cottage ─ but please do you have something you are willing to offer that will help us to raise more towards our appeal? We are looking for at least another eight items. Please contact either Revd. Michelle or Sue Dennis if you have something you feel able to gift to us for this purpose.

• PRINTS AND NOTECARDS ─ Do remember too that by purchasing one of our delightful Limited Edition prints or a pack of notecards you are supporting our fundraising. They are available from the Higham Newsagent or from Sue Dennis. We have sold enough to cover the initial costs so everyone bought from now on will add to our fundraising total and get a step nearer to having a warm church once more.

Thank you everyone for any support you have given to date ─ but there is still much to be done and we all need to continue to play our part.

Be assured that whatever you can raise, in whatever format, will be very gratefully received … thank you!

How to donate to the appeal:

• cheques should be made payable to St Mary the Virgin PCC Higham 600 Appeal, or
• use the BACS system (sort code 30-96-09; account number 84427260; account St Mary the Virgin PCC Higham 600 Appeal).

Fundraising contacts:
• Sue Dennis, Chair of the Fundraising Group, 07773 586352,
• Avril Harlow, Appeal Treasurer, 01933 314694,

A more detailed update on the appeal will be published in the next Benefice Magazine.

Sue Dennis

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