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Huge Xmas boost to fund

13/12/2007

GENEROUS Hyndburn folk have really dug deep this week donating a whopping £1,200 in the bid to save the Accrington Pals’ Memorial Chapel at St John’s Church in Accrington.

Just a fortnight before Christmas, when almost everyone is hard-pushed for cash, people have been popping into the Observer offices and dropping off donations totalling a fantastic £840.

There have been events too which has boosted the fund, which now stands at almost £13,000 in just seven weeks.

No matter how large or small, EVERY donation counts as it all mounts up.

One kind-hearted reader dropped in a cheque for £500, while other generous readers gave what they could to boost the fund to save the chapel .

Last week’s total was £11,650 and thanks to cash raised at the St John’s prizegiving this week, totalling £360, plus your fantastic donations, the grand total is now an amazing £12,850.

l We are aiming to raise £50,000 to save the Pals Chapel and the beautiful and historic St John’s Church in which it is based.

The appeal has been supported by Hyndburn Council leaders, Greg Pope MP and the Royal British Legion.

The 143-year-old church on Addison Street has been temporarily closed because of electrical faults.

Our target of £50,000 would guarantee its immediate future and an application has been made to English Heritage to meet the rest of the estimated £140,000 repair costs for the Grade II listed building.

The Pals Chapel was established in 1992 and a service has been held there every year since.

This week’s donations have come from: Mrs Pat Whiteside and Mr I A Brooks in memory of Captain P J Broadley OBE £100; Anon £10; Anon £5; Anon £5; Anon £5; Anon £500; R N Brook £200; £5 Anon; A Schofield £10.

How you can help
CHEQUES, made out to St John’s Pals Fund, or cash can be handed in at the Observer offices at 103 Blackburn Road, Accrington. Unless requested otherwise, we will acknowledge all donations in the paper.
If you are planning a fund-raising event let us know by ringing our News Desk on 871444, and we will publicise it and try to arrange a photograph.
A number of key-rings showing St John’s Church can be bought at the Observer offices for £1 each.