Fire-hit parish raises £8,000

More than £8,000 has been raised for repairs at a fire-hit church in Kidderminster.

Trinity Methodist Church in Churchfields was ravaged in an arson attack in December causing £350,000 of damage. Only part of it was covered by insurance leaving churchleaders needing to find £92,000 for the rest of the work.

Donations have already soared past the £8,000 mark and a series of fundraising events ranging from table-top sales to a sponsored skydive have been organised.

Money is also being generated through a sponsor-a-chair scheme and more than 50 people have already signed up.

The church has received donations in lieu of flowers following funeral services.

Rev Mary Austin said: "I expect work to start at the end of November but we will not be back in the church until the end of April, which is a long time to wait."

Anyone who would like to make a donation towards the restoration fund can contact the church by telephoning 01562 823300.