AN ‘All about Christmas’ fair has raised more than £1,800 towards repairs to Petersfield Catholic Church in Station Road.

Parish priest Father Peter Hollins said: “It was good to see so many quality items on sale, and also so many parishioners and friends.

“Many thanks to Margaret Effenberg (pictured fourth from left) and so many others who made it such a good event, and thanks too to all who generously donated items and prizes for the raffle and other stalls.

“These fundraising events not only bring in some money, but also help parishioners get together again after the long lockdown.”

The urgently-needed repair work at the Grade II listed St Laurence Catholic Church costing £153,000 will take 14 weeks to complete.

So far, parishioners have raised half the total needed.

The renovation work includes replacing and repairing part of the church’s lower roof and its dome, and repairing the church hall windows.

Father Hollins added: “Some movement caused the seals on the copper cladding around the cross and ball on the dome to open.

“This allowed damp to develop inside, and a drip now falls on the aisle.

“The aim is to re-cover the cross and seat it more firmly in the centre of the dome.

“The flat roof above one of the chapels also urgently needs to be replaced to stop water ingress, and other maintenance will also be undertaken while the scaffolding is up.”

A new boiler was installed in October after asbestos had been removed from the boiler room by fitters wearing breathing apparatus during the specialised operation.

A cheese and wine event in January will be the next fundraiser to eat away at the remaining £75,000 needed.