FUND-raising walkers have given a big boost to our appeal to raise money to save the Accrington Pals Memorial Chapel in beautiful and historic St John’s Church.
The staff of St John’s with St Augustine’s Primary School completed Church and Oswaldtwistle Rotary Club’s 10-mile trek along the Leeds-Liverpool Canal towpath from Clayton-le-Moors to Burnley and raised £528.
Another team of walkers from the church raised £225, with more still to come.
They included fund co-ordinator Karen Smyth, who walked with her two sisters Stefanie Baron and Louise Johnson and another member of the Aspire team, Marilyn Hoyle.
Karen said: "My sisters offered to join in on the walk to support the cause so close to my heart.
"Stefanie was also walking to raise money for the British Heart Foundation in memory of our dad Ray Johnson who died while on a boating trip on 2 August 2004.
"Being a keen walker himself, we are quite sure he would have been proud of us.
"We had a fantastic day and will definitely be doing it again next year."
The fund total now stands at an impressive £34,177 after further donations were received from: NADFAS Sheffield £123; in memory of Mrs Elizabeth Dearden from M M and J E Blackwell £200; to Bill with love from Ruth £10; and Well Done Iris from Tony and Jean £10.
Our target is to raise £50,000, which would enable the church to re-open while further funding is sought from bodies such as English Heritage.
On Sunday Nigel Rix and Ivan Wilson will be presenting the results of a feasibility study which they have carried out.
This will take place after the morning service in St Christopher’s High School, starting around 10.30am.
Anyone interested is urged to go along as it will outline the potential plans and ideas for the future of the church.
More details are on the church website, http//www.stjohns-accrington.org.uk/index.html or you can email the appeal organisers at savestjohns@google-mail.com
