OUR Aspire appeal to save the Accrington Pals Memorial Chapel reached a major milestone this week.
It passed the £40,000 mark, four fifths of the way to the £50,000 target.
We are now appealing to our generous readers to give one final push to the appeal, which has been running for less than a year.
One event which will help to do just that is the 20-20 cricket match, postponed from August, which is due to go ahead tomorrow (Saturday) weather permitting.
The game between an Accrington XI and the Castle pub will be held at Accrington’s Thorneyholme Road ground, with the gates opening at 5.30pm for a 6.30pm start.
There will also be a barbecue and raffles. Admission is free but donations to the fund would be appreciated.
Don’t forget, also, that the Nag’s Head Volunteers are holding a social evening in the Willow Mount Club next Thurs-day. Admission is £3 including supper.
Meanwhile Edward Wearing, a former member of St John’s Church in which the Pals Chapel is based, is taking part in the Staples to Naples banger rally this month. To sponsor him for the appeal ring 07849 493536.
Donations this week, which have taken the fund to £40,366, have come from: St James’ Church £150; and Dr K M Hambleton in memory of James Alfred Salthouse 1906 to 1976 £500.
The sale of home-made cards raised £55 and another £16 came in from the recent sponsored swim.
St John’s will open for the first time in more than a year on 28 September for Back to Church Sunday, a national event which encourages every churchgoer to invite a friend to accompany him or her to church.
A special service will be held at 10am and everyone is welcome to attend.
The choir will be reconvening for the occasion and the church has been thoroughly cleaned and tidied.
Church warden Andy Shepherd said: "We would like to invite everyone who has donated, helped or has an interest in the Aspire campaign to come to this one-off occasion."
