Campaign reaches half way point.

HONITON residents have been digging deep to save St Paul’s Church from closure.

The church has nearly reached half the target set for its The Responsibility is Ours (TRIO) campaign and has received more than 80 responses.

Reverend Sue Roberts, Team Rector, said: “We have had very good responses and we are extremely pleased. The total that has been pledged so far has given us an extra income of �160 pounds a week, which is nearly half the target we set for the campaign.

“It feels really good and we are delighted that it has produced that level of response from our congregation.

“It means we are in a position to maintain our budget set for this year.”

St Paul’s was struggling to keep up with the weekly running costs, which exceeded its regular income by �382 every week.

The total cost of running the church totalled �2,164, helping pay for electricity, insurance as well as clergy and office expenses, exceeding its regular income of �1,782.

The TRIO campaign was launched by the Parochial Church Council at the end of August in response to the ongoing financial situation.

So far, the church has received 87 responses to the campaign with 69 individuals committing to a level of giving.

Reverend Roberts added: “Obviously it is going to be an ongoing situation, but the money pledged so far has kept us safe for the time being.

“It makes me feel hopeful that we can do it and we can look forward and start planning forward.

“Also that there is goodwill out there.

“Obviously there is an ongoing need and we have met half of the target, but we still need to raise the other half.

“We are still looking at raising another �160 plus each week, which we still need to try and find.

“The work is not quite done, but we are half way there, which is brilliant.”

For more information about the TRIO campaign, or to donate money, call the church office on (01404) 44035.