Scary fundraiser features vicar and tarantula
Take one arachnophobic vicar, a large hairy tarantula and a growing church’s building appeal,
and what do you get? Yes, it’s a sponsored holy spider sit …Revered Marilyn Ilyas (right), a true arachnophobe and vicar at St David’s Church, Newton Close in Lordswood, Chatham, is staging the Spider Sit at the church on 6 May at 11am. Spiderman himself (alias congregation member Dave Till in costume) will deliver a live tarantula which Rev’d Marilyn is being sponsored to have sit on her hand in aid of the Church building appeal.
“I’m dreading it,” says Marilyn, “but the spider and I have already raised £500 so there’s no going back now. Please come along, with moral support if you can!”
The Spider Sit is in support of St David's Church, which is appealing for help to make exciting new improvements to benefit the community. A minimum of £70,000 is needed, which when raised, will trigger a further £140,000 from Church bodies, meeting the overall target of £210,000.
Rev’d Marilyn Ilyas says: “The response from the congregation and community to the appeal has been phenomenal and £48,000 has been pledged already. The work really will result in a more accessible and appropriate Church for all the community.”
The Church entrance is to be relocated and a new heating system installed to make the building more comfortable and energy efficient. The kitchen will be enlarged and re-equipped to enable fellowship meals and expansion of Senior Citizens’ lunch club. An office and vestry, together with a permanently accessible Chapel will be created, giving people the opportunity to spend quiet time with God.
In 2003, St. David’s suffered from an arson attack but was encouraged by an amazing response from local community, including the local pub offering a room for services until the Church was habitable once more.
Find out more at www.holytrinity.southchatham.org
NB The spider, Beryl, is being supplied by her caring owner, Lorraine, a member of the Sittingbourne Arachnid Club
