The community of St Florence has come together to put the fundraising target needed to help save the church tower within touching distance.

The historic Grade II listed building has been helped in the past through projects, but is in desperate need of help again, with the church tower and roof needing repair work, the floors rotting, and the bells are in danger of being unable to be rung!

At the end of June this year the church in St Florence announced it was in receipt of a Heritage Lottery Fund grant and needed to raise a sum of £14,000 through community contributions to fund match the grant offer.

This seemed a mammoth task at the time as the money had to be raised in a relatively short time, that is by September!

The community of St Florence rallied round in numbers and a period of fundraising began, which has seen the total raised so far - just over £12,000, there is a little way to go over the next month.

A Just Giving page was set up at www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/stflorencechurch which is currently still accepting donations.

As well as donations a number of events have been taking place within the village and around. St Florence primary school raised a magnificent £187 by holding a 10p trail.

This involved collecting 10p pieces and laying them in a trail from the school gate to the church door.

Luckily it was a very sunny day for this event and when the children arrived at the church they helped by painting the fund raising thermometers which are the indicators of the money raised.

Next a gin a nibbles night was held at the Parsonage Farm Inn. This involved the tasting of flavoured gins and drinking some of the 48 gins they have on offer there. The Pembrokeshire Gin Co was also there donating proceeds from the sale of bottles of gin to the church.

A raffle was held and one lucky winner, Darren Evans won a bottle of their fine gin. The evening was thoroughly enjoyed by all and raised a fantastic £601 for the appeal.

Next, on August 18, a Back to Biodiversity day was held at Haylands Lane Biodiversity Area, Jameston. The Willow Farm and Manorbier Lavender were also involved in the day.

Unfortunately the weather was not kind to this event and it was not as well attended as was hoped. Nevertheless so far a sum of £100 has been raised from this event.

The village’s Sun Inn as always, have been fantastic supporters of the church.

They presented a cheque for £480, money which had been raised by locals and visitors to the village.

A barrel of lager was sold -all proceeds from which have gone to the fund, whilst a raffle was also held and a jar has been on the bar since the appeal was launched for customers to throw their spare change in to. Fundraising at the Sun is continuing until 30 September.

The change jar is still on the bar and a raffle is being held to win prizes donated by villagers. First prize is £100, so if you have time to call in for a drink, please support the church.

To help raise the remaining funds a series of further fundraising events have taken place recently.

Ten-year-old Isaac Noyce, heard of the plight of the Church, and took it upon himself to do a sponsored swim to raise money, as he is a keen swimmer and a member of Tenby Dolphins.

On Friday he swam 100 lengths of Tenby Leisure Centre swimming pool, over one and a half miles, and has raised £450 to date. Isaac would like to thank the kind support from family, friends and all who have sponsored him, and also the leisure centre for their assistance in the event.

The same day ‘Bella Sera’ - a summer’s evening of beautiful music with friends from Bella Voce was held at St Florence Church.

The fundraising continues next month, with the K9 Kapers – Dog Show and Village Funday held on the village playing field from 2 pm, on Sunday, September 2 - which promises to be a day of fun and frolics for all the family with numerous food and craft stalls, live music and a fun dog show which includes seven classes. Entrance for the event is free with the dog show costing just £1 per dog per class.

On September 12 an afternoon tea will be hosted at Bramley’s Tea Rooms, St Florence, starting at 4 pm, with proceeds going to the Church Restoration Fund.

The fund raising will culminate with a concert of celebration by the Griffon Choir to be held on the Tuesday, September 25 at St Florence Church at 7.30 pm.

The total amount raised for the cause will be announced at this event, which is free entry, with donations greatly appreciated on the night.

St Florence Church would like to thank everyone that has donated so far.