JustGiving page launched to raise funds for church repairs

Margaret Rickard moved to West Keal in 2018 and is passionate about ensuring that St Helen’s Church can remain open to the public for years to come.

Margaret says the necessary church repairs will cost in the region of £4,000 and sadly – despite several attempts – there is no grant funding available.

Margaret said: “Over the past 20 years a small group of villagers have removed 
decades of shrubbery and self-set trees and uncovered all the overgrown grave stones to present the awesome view of the church we are now privileged to see.

“Like most ancient churches it is in need of ongoing repairs.

“The leak in the south roof has been repaired with a generous donation from a resident.

“However, the leak in the north roof is far more serious and subsequently will cost five times the amount of repairing the south roof.

“The north roof leak is also causing a great deal of dampness inside the church.

“We are unable to acquire funding from the Diocese, so are having to fund the repairs ourselves, which will cost nearly £4,000.

“Over the past months I have tried all the avenues of grants without success, many of them now closed to appeals.

“It would be a tragedy if this beautiful monument were forced to close because it is unsafe.”

• To make a donation or find out more, visit www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/sthelenschurchwestkeallincs