Shropshire caravan company pledges support for St Chad’s appeal
Shrewsbury-based caravan dealership Salop Leisure is adding its weight to a £2.5 million fundraising campaign to save the town’s unique St Chad’s Church.
The company, based alongside Shrewsbury bypass at Emstrey, has made a substantial donation towards the appeal and has adopted the church as its charity for the rest of year, pledging to hold a series of fundraising events.
The appeal will be in the spotlight when Salop Leisure hosts the West Midlands Caravan and Motorhome Show, which is expected to attract around 15,000 visitors between September 30 to October 9.
Salop Leisure’s chairman Tony Bywater said: “St Chad’s is one of the most important historic buildings in our town and, as a company, we want to preserve it for future generations. We are proud to be associated with this campaign.”
St Chad’s, the only Grade I Listed circular Georgian church in England, sits overlooking the beautiful Quarry Park, the town centre and River Severn.
The church, which has raised £1.1 million towards the appeal since last November, urgently needs to find £100,000 by February to pay for the remaining urgent repair work on the tower.
The church has already paid £300,000 for the complete restoration of its 1904 Norman and Beard cathedral organ.
The appeal, which has been supported by £250,000 from the Heritage Lottery Fund, £250,000 from the congregation, £150,000 from Shropshire Horticultural Society and a grant from the National Churches Trust, will also cover major improvement of facilities.
David Tudor, St Chad’s development director, said: “We are extremely grateful for the generous support from Salop Leisure, who are making the church their charity of the year and giving the appeal exposure in their showroom.
“The response to the appeal has been fantastic and we would welcome support from other companies in the town. As soon as the church tower is restored, we can start to focus on the other projects.”
