THE Holy Cross Crediton Campaign Roof Appeal was launched in May 2014, with the aim of raising the target of £1.547 million which is needed to carry out essential repairs to the Parish Church.

The repairs have been divided into three phases. Phase one will cost £600,000, of which £75,000 has so far been raised, which is 50 per cent of the local fund raising target that has been set.

It is hoped that the balance of £450,000 will come from the Heritage Lottery Fund (£250,000) and a long list of other potential funders.

The Roof Appeal now has own website: www.roofappeal.org which recently went live and has the details of the challenges faced, coming fundraising events and how to donate.

There is now also an appeal board in the churchyard near the south gates and the total sum raised will be updated on the board at regular intervals.

Phase one works cover the Chancel, South Choir Aisle and Lady Chapel where repairs will include new roof coverings, related masonry repairs and improvement work to the high level drainage systems. Works in all three expected phases will involve the use of extensive scaffolding and sheeting.

Some of the funds raised to-date have had to be spent on utmost urgent repairs to keep water out of the building and its structures (e.g. emergency tower repairs and re-pointing the east parapet of the Lady Chapel) and the commissioning of a variety of professional reports including a structural engineer and a costed set of estimates from a quantity surveyor.

Anyone who would like to help with the Campaign Roof Appeal and in particular with planning and organising fundraising events, or in a few months time, with all the grant applications that will need to be completed should please contact Bill Jerman on 01363 772865.