The church community are really getting behind the £4.5m development project by taking ownership of raising the £50,000 needed to pay for the refurbishment of the shop.
Refurbishing the shop will enrich the visitor experience and provide significant volunteering opportunities for local people, offering them retail experience, customer service skills and a warm friendly environment in which to make friends. It will also contribute to the running of the church and social welfare programmes.
Since its launch in January this year, an impressive £8,089 has already been raised through donations and fundraising events. These include a bake sale by Archbishop Sentamu Academy sixth form student Olivia Hemingway, a coffee morning organised by Stella Barnes, crafters event organised by HT’s crafters, a quiz night hosted by Jean Fenwick, Ken Knox sold his award winning soup, and Rev Irene Wilson and Jane Owen ate through their larders during lent and donated what they would have spent on shopping.
Momentum isn’t stopping there with people are thinking of creative ways to fundraise. Peter Lord is leading a Hymn marathon which will see him singing hymns for three hours, non-stop after the service at Holy Trinity on Sunday 1st May. Renowned cellist Tina Waldock is performing a solo cello recital on 7th May at 7.30pm. HT Youth are organising a sponsored walk on the 28th of May from the Humber Bridge to Holy Trinity. To make things interesting, the walk is tied into a treasure hunt and winners will be announced at an end of walk party at the top of the tower. Between the 27-30 May Julia Allum will be putting on a Summer Art Exhibition where she will be showcasing original pieces available with the proceeds being donated.
Donations come in all shapes and sizes. Jill found that she always has an abundance of 5p pieces in her purse. So, she is being both creative and generous by collecting all of her 5p pieces on a monthly basis and donating them toward the shop.
Vicar of Holy Trinity, Rev Canon Dr Neal Barnes, says “It is great to that the church community have supporting the project in a wide variety of ways and are continuing to do so. The shop is an important element of our transformation for a number of reasons and with the enthusiasm and the confidence I have seen thus far from the church community I have no doubt the target will be reached.”
Holy Trinity’s transformation project will see the church reordered and facilities upgraded to the benefit of liturgical matters, the advancement of social welfare, to be more welcoming to the community and safeguard over 700 years of heritage for future generations. So far the project has raised over 50% of the fundraising target of £4.5m and work is well underway for phase one of the project.
Phase one of the project involves opening up the churchyard to make Trinity Square a better outdoor space for the city for community gatherings and events.
Phase two will commence in Autumn of this year and will largely see the nave recorded, fabric repaired and facilities upgraded in order for the church building to be used to its full potential for events, performances, concerts, banquets and festivals, at the same time as helping us increase our social welfare work.
Phase three will commence in 2018 and will see our heritage brought to life and a new café and kitchen constructed.
If you have a fundraising idea, would like to get involved or find our more details about up and coming fundraising activities, click here .