THE 'FUND-RAISING STORY' SO FAR
When we moved back into the Church and Community Centre last October we still needed to raise a further £75,000 to complete our fund raising for the Redevelopment.

The good news is that some four months later we have reduced this shortfall to £50,000.

This is an excellent position for us to be in so soon after being back in Knutsford Methodist Church, and - as Chairman of our church's Finance Committee - I would like to thank most warmly everyone who has contributed financially to this success.

It also means that - so far - we have not had to take out a Methodist Chapel Aid Loan. Originally we expected to have to take out a loan of £200,000 around last August. It now looks as though a loan will not be necessary until later this year, and we might hopefully be able to avoid it altogether - if the current rate of new donations continues.

We set off on our 'fund raising challenge' only 2½ years ago in an act of 'tremendous faith', and it is wonderful to see what we have achieved so far.

HOW DO WE RAISE THIS £50,000?
As we have now received all the External Grants that we have been promised, then this shortfall of £50,000 will need to be raised from new donations from the members of our congregation.

For those who are thinking about making a donation to the Building Fund in the near future then it would be very helpful indeed to receive these before the end of March - as I can then ensure that it is included in the 2006/07 Gift Aid Tax Relief submission which will be sent to the Inland Revenue as soon as the tax year finishes on 6th April.

This means that we will then receive the benefit of the Gift Aid Tax Relief before the end of July.

Once again - our very grateful thanks to everyone for the financial support which has been, and is continuing to be, given.