THE CONGREGATION of a Blackbird Leys church desperately in need of a new roof has raised £5,000 this year towards the cause.

But worshippers said they had a long way to go if they were ever going to reach their target of £120,000.

A full-scale plan of action has been drafted to try to raise the money over the next two years.

The Holy Family Church in Cuddesdon Way needs a new roof within the next few years to stop the congregation getting rained on each time the heavens open.

Church member Sue Price said: “The roof is leaking and unfortunately it needs to be completely replaced.

“As the vicar told us, we’ve managed to patch it up over the years with rubber, like a tyre, but that’s only a temporary fix.”

On Thursday, pupils from Pegasus School and the Oxford Academy sang carols and rang bells at the Bullnose Morris pub to raise money.

More than 150 people packed into the pub for the festive celebrations.

Mrs Price said: “It was brilliant – a really lovely event. The children who performed were outstanding.

“We raised £57 on the night, but it was about more than fundraising. It was about bringing people from our community together.”

Fellow church member Russell Price added: “It was a marvellous thing. The regulars seemed delighted to have something slightly different.

“It’s something we want to repeat year-on-year. It shows the quality of spirit here in the Leys.

“Next year is the year we are going to kickstart our fundraising efforts.”

Rachel Walding, who runs the handbell group at Pegasus School, said: “It was lovely.

“There are seven children in the group from Year Five and they loved it. Lots of people were there and it was nice to help out a local much-needed cause.”

Fundraising efforts began earlier this year with Blackbird Leys’ first scarecrow competition.

More than 80 scarecrows were created by schools, residents and businesses and positioned around the estate for people to find. The competition raised a few hundred pounds.

Mrs Price said: “So far as a congregation, we’ve raised about £5,000, which is a good start.

“We know we’ve got a long way to go, but the plan is to get properly started in the new year. We’re putting together plans to raise the money in the next couple of years.

“Hopefully we’ll have lots of events that aren’t just about raising money, but about bringing people together in the community.

“We know money is tight at the moment.”