A CRIME-HIT church is hoping to raise £20,000 after heartless thieves stripped the lead from its roof.

St Mary and St Margaret’s Church in Stow Maries is appealing for donations to fund repairs.

Crooks got away with the lead roof of the historic Grade II* listed building during lockdown.

The church had flooded by the time the damage was spotted at the end of 2020.

As Covid restrictions ease, the church is hoping to welcome back its congregation, but organisers say the cost of replacing the roof has delayed the reopening.

Now a fundraiser has been launched in a bid to raise £20,000 for vital repairs.

So far, it has raised just £440.

A spokesman said: "Towards the end of 2020 it was discovered that St Mary and St Margaret’s Church in Stow Maries was flooded.

"Upon further inspection the community found that the entire lead had unfortunately been stolen.

"We are now at a point where the community will have an opportunity to return to the church as restrictions ease and church-goers want nothing more than to gather at their place of worship with their friends and family.

"However, the cost of replacing the roof has put a delay on this. Usually, the close-knit village are excellent at raising money but the restrictions still in place limit what can be done.

"Therefore this is a plea from the community to ask if anyone can help by donating to fund the repairs.

"Any donation small or large, or share, is hugely appreciated. The funds needed are to replace the roof, cover extensive labour costs and to also pay the costs of an architect, which is a requirement to making repairs on a Church of England."

The church has been hit by thieves before. In 2014 burglars stole a statue and tried to break into a safe.

To donate to the appeal, visit gofund.me/a8c96334.

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