Tidworth residents are raising funds to help spruce up their listed church.

The fundraiser for the Church of the Holy Trinity, on Plassey Road, aims to replace the Union Flag, as well as the flagpole’s lanyard and church sign. The fundraiser has already passed its initial target of £100, and is aiming to raise £200 by the time it closes.

Donna Stead, who organised the fundraiser with her husband Eddie, told the Advertiser: “It’s not a lot of money to raise, but they [the church] are overwhelmed and to help with the things that matter gives us a warm feeling.”

According to Historic England, the current Church of the Holy Trinity was built some time around the late 1300s, though earlier building work is thought to still be present in the church tower. It has gradually expanded over the centuries with new features such as porches and an organ, and received a Grade II* listing in 1988.

Grade II* listed buildings indicate those that “are particularly important buildings of more than special interest”, and is the second highest listing category. Only 5.8 per cent of listed buildings in England, around 23,200, are Grade II*.

Donna and Eddie decided to get involved after they visited to place flowers on a relative’s grave, and noticed the church’s Union Flag was in a poor state.

“I messaged the church to see if they had plans to replace it,” Donna said, “and they told me they were very low on funds due to Covid and that they couldn’t afford to as it wasn’t essential. So, my husband and I offered to purchase one.”

However, it soon turned out that the lanyard used to attach the flag would also need replacing, so the couple opened up the fundraise to the community. It soon passed their initial target of £100, so they decided to double their target and donate any excess.

The fundraiser is now at £160, with the Church Warden, Tina Edwards, having told the couple some of the excess will be used to fund a replacement to their damaged car park sign.

Speaking about the fundraiser, Tina said: “It’s not a lot of money to raise, but they are overwhelmed and to help with the things that matter gives us a warm feeling.

“My husband and I have also offered to help out, once allowed, doing odd jobs, to which the church warden replied: ‘You have answered my prayers!'”

Anyone wishing to donate to the fundraiser can do so by heading to the fundraising page here: https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-the-holy-trinity-church-replace-their-flag