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Rayleigh and Wickford MP, Mark Francois, who also serves as the President of the Friends of Holy Trinity Church, praised the Group at their recent AGM, for raising £123K in a single year. The Friends, who have now been fundraising for two decades, held their Annual General Meeting in the part 14th century church, at the top of Rayleigh High Street.
During the event, which was led by the Chairman, Jane Brown, it was revealed that in 2023 alone, the group raised some £123,000 (including a generous legacy of £100,000 from a long-time Rayleigh resident, who passed away last year).
In praising the Friends for all their efforts, Mark said:
“Raising this sum is a remarkable achievement. In the twenty or so years since their inception, the Friends have now raised around £850,000, which, along with grants, has materially contributed to a successful major refurbishment of the church. Holy Trinity is not only a place of worship, but also a popular community venue, from concerts to the ever popular annual ‘Teddy Bear’s Parachute Jump’, from the church tower. I am very proud to be the President of such a worthwhile and successful organisation.”