A MASSIVE fundraising campaign has been launched by a group of residents in a bid to repair and preserve their village church. The Friends of Grafham Church has been set up to help preserve the village s ancient All Saints Parish Church, which is in urg

A MASSIVE fundraising campaign has been launched by a group of residents in a bid to repair and preserve their village church.

The Friends of Grafham Church has been set up to help preserve the village's ancient All Saints' Parish Church, which is in urgent need of repair.

Cracks have started appearing in the walls of the church and Tina Theodorou, a member of the fundraising group, told The Hunts Post: "Without expensive repair work the cracks in the walls of the church will continue to grow."

She added: "This is serious. Disaster could be round the

corner."

United under the banner of Save All Saints, the group is hoping to initially raise £10,000 to identify the repairs needed, and another £50,000 to pay for them.

The group has said that any success in gaining grants depends on showing that the community care about the church and can raise some of the money.

Mrs Theodorou said: "Visitors to Grafham comment fondly on the simple beauty of the church building that has been expanded and preserved by the hard work of generations of villagers. Now it's the turn of this generation."

A steering group, under the lead of Karen Stewart, is arranging fundraising events including a Christmas Cheer with carols and wine tasting at Grafham

Village Hall on December 8 at 7.30pm. Also planned is a Burns Night supper in January.

INFORMATION: Tickets for the Christmas Cheer cost £5 each and can be purchased by phoning 01480 811366/810995. Anyone wanting to find out how they can help the campaign should phone Karen on 01480 810961.