Since January, we have been gathering the complex documentation and securing the initial finances to start the project officially in April.

In the Development Phase (April 2025-April 2027), the church and the Diocese of London together appoint a Capital Project Manager, who will bring in architects, surveyors and community consultants to plan the re-build with the church in fine detail. Meanwhile, the Diocese’s professional fundraiser Alice Yates will help the church secure its share of the money for this phase, which is £100,000.

These complex construction and financing plans then go back to the Lottery for approval (6-8 months).

If the plans are approved, as we expect, we move to Delivery Phase (January 2028-December 2029) when the major part of the Lottery money is released and the hard hats go on. During this time, the Lottery will give us another major fundraiser to apply to the specialist historic building repair trusts for a further £500,000.

The good news is that Project 300 has already raised £10,000 – from individual giving, from people earning money for us by taking on extra work, and from events like the Sunday

School’s sponsored run / scoot, Song and Story, Christmas Fair and others. We are so grateful for everyone’s hard work, volunteering and generous hearts.

Over the next two years, we need to raise a further £90,000 from trusts and grants who specialise in this kind of building planning funding. The fact we have already raised 10% ourselves helps Alice show such funders that we are really committed and they are helping a living community, not just a building, which is a central aim of Heritage Lottery projects.