CHURCH APPEAL: Funds needed to save St Martin’s

Community ‘has duty’ to ensure it stays for another 1,000 years

A RUISLIP church needs the community’s help to save it from the ‘huge issues’ that have been uncovered in an investigation carried out by architects.

St Martin’s Church in Eastcote Road needs to raise £250,000 to repair the roof of the side chapels, fix water leaks and replace equipment such as the lighting and sound system.

The total cost of the work is a quarter of a million pounds but church leaders are hoping to gather £100,000 though fundraising activities.

Danny Dartnaill is helping to raise the money for the work.

He said: “The church is so important locally, not just to the regular congregation but also to the wider community.

“Over 1,000 people make use of the church and its facilities every week.

“The church has been at the heart of Ruislip for almost 1,000 years and we all have a duty to make sure that the church is still there in another 1,000 years.”

As well as worship, the church holds keep fit classes, toddler groups, dances classes for young and old people and even archaeological and art society meetings.

An architect’s report was commissioned last year and uncovered a number of problems that needed fixing.

So far, £80,000 has been raised through generous contributions from the congregation, local businesses and residents.

But a further push is needed to reach their target by the end of the year.

Money has been raised through a charity bike ride from Ruislip to Norfolk, cake sales, garden parties, the Queen’s 90th birthday celebrations and piano lessons.

Mr Dartnaill added: “Without the money the roof will fall into disrepair [and] the new sound systems and lighting systems will make a huge difference to the experience in the church.

“The community have been fantastic with local people and local businesses support our initiatives and making donations in money or in kind.”

The next key fundraising event is a silent art auction from September 19 to 24.

More than 100 items have been donated for sale and can all be viewed by clicking here.

Bids can be made at the church before the auction closes at 2pm on Saturday September 24.

Progress of the fundraising efforts is measured through a seven metre high barometer in the bell tower.

PULLING THEIR WEIGHT: Bellringers at St Martin’s Church; (left) St Martin’s pictured in 1930