Hadleigh church aims to raise £70k for new heating and lighting system

The church requires a new heating and lighting system, which is estimated to cost £140,000

A community group has organised a fundraiser to help pay for renovations to their local church.

Members of St Mary's Church in Hadleigh, Suffolk, want to raise £70,000 for new heating and lighting.

The Grade I listed building has the largest indoor space in the town, but requires maintenance work to its core structure.

Fundraising organiser Emma Fleming-Ovens said the initial response had been "absolutely phenomenal".

According to Suffolk Churches, St Mary's was built in the 14th Century and features a medieval wood and lead spire.

In recent years, the church was regularly used by community and school groups, but a lack of heating has discouraged its use.

• Medieval church ceiling could be lost to decay

• Church row over carved floral pews

Mrs Fleming-Ovens said the church now requires a new floor, roof and heating system.

"A lot of research has taken place into what would help the church become net zero by 2030," she said.

The group have decided to use an overhead heating and lighting system called Halo, which costs £10,000 per unit.

"The church needs 14 of those," Mrs Fleming-Ovens added.

The church has been successful in obtaining pledges from local residents and businesses, as well as securing grants towards the costs, but Mrs Fleming-Ovens said: "Putting it very bluntly, it's not enough."

Her GoFundMe page has been open for one week and has raised over £700.

"If we can reach enough people, there's no reason why we can't succeed in this," she said.