IT is fundraising drive that is really reaching for the sky.

For worshippers at a Hampshire church have launched an appeal to raise £78,000 to reroof its nave – final phase of a project to make sure that Portchester’s St Mary’s Church is sound.

The historic building – parts of it date back to the 12th century – stands inside the walls of Portchester Castle.

The fundraising appeal was launched with a concert by Hampshire Youth Choir. Future money-spinning plans include more concerts, open gardens and sponsorship of roof tiles.

The parish also hopes to host a wedding fair in its grounds next year. Raising the money and completing the repairs should take two years.

Vicar, the Reverend Charlie Allen, said: “We had three tasks to make the building secure – fix the wiring and replace lighting, repair the drains, and tackle the roofing. We’ve already done the first two and we’ve also done part of the reroofing.

“We spent £60,000 on the roof of the chancel, vestry and tower. So this is the final stage.

“Most of the money for the other things came from donations and fundraising by the congregation, so now we want to open this to the wider community.”

A joint church and community fundraising team, including councillors, community groups and church members, have already started work.

They hope to organise a nonuniform day at local schools, collection boxes in shops and offices and recycling boxes so people can donate old ink cartridges and mobile phones.

Drinkers at The Cormorant, in Castle Street, are raising money through regular pub quizzes and individual roof tiles can be bought for £5 each.

Once the nave roof has been repaired, worshippers will look at how to use their building to serve the community, visitors and tourists more effectively, such as a permanent coffee shop, a chapel area for time in quiet and a labyrinth-style garden of remembrance outside.

● Anyone who would like to make a donation, or who has an idea to help, can call 023 9232 1380, or office@stmary.info