PARISHONERS at two Rotherham area churches have been handed a fundraising challenge after being offered a financial lifeline by the English Heritage Lottery fund.
Thrybergh St Leonard's has been offered £139,000 and Tickhill St Mary's £61,000 . . but the catch is that they will have to meet strict match-funding targets to get the money.
Now both churches are in a race to raise the cash. St Leonard's has to raise £60,000 by December 20 and St Mary's has to raise £120,000.
St Leonard's, which is a Grade II listed building, needs the money to help fund renovations costing £230,000 which are needed as a result of water damage caused by the theft of lead from the roof two years ago.
Grade I listed St Mary's, parts of which date back to the 11th century. will spend its money on on-going conservation work.
Wath Trinity Methodist Church has received a £10,000 grant to refurbish the church hall.
The money has come from the Big Lottery Fund.