A LAST-MINUTE act of vandalism failed to stop Otley Methodist Church from enjoying a bumper fundraising open day.

Donations or pledges by visitors on Saturday raised £12,000 and in return they were treated to displays that ranged from handbell ringing to martial arts.

The money, which will rise to £14,000 when gift aid has been claimed, brings the total raised for the church’s foyer redevelopment project to £30,000 – virtually guaranteeing the scheme’s progress.

But it could all have been so different as one of the centrepieces of the open day – a scale model showing the proposed changes to the church’s front entrance – had been smashed to pieces only days before.

Luckily, thanks to some quick thinking and patient restoration work, the model was re-assembled in time.

Community redevelopment fundraising chairman, John Burland, said: “The model of the proposed new frontage to the church was on display in the church foyer on Saturday, but this nearly didn’t happen.

“On Tuesday night it was discovered that someone had entered the rear entrance and smashed the model, which was on display in the rear reception area.

“The foyer community redevelopment chairman, John Hastings, took the model and, using photographs, painstakingly and carefully restored it over the next three days back to its original glory.

“We believe the damage was caused by a vagrant who walked in off the street, as he had earlier been escorted off the premises.”

Mr Burland was delighted at the support shown to the church’s plans to improve accessibility and functionality at its Boroughgate entrance.

Describing the £12,000 raised as “magnificent”, he said: “This increases the amount we have so far raised to around £30,000.

“Subject to permission being given by the Methodist Church property depart-ment in Manchester on July 28, and receipt of the various grants we have been offered, the project will now be able to proceed.

“We still have a little way to go, but I feel confident that with the events we have planned for the autumn and into the spring of 2010 we shall succeed in achieving our target figure of around £50,000.”

The money will be used to add wheelchair ramps to the side of the building’s front entrance and create two side rooms, one for baby-changing and disabled toilets and the other for serving food and refreshments.

The church has a string of other fundraising events lined up for the rest of the year and beyond, including a heritage concert on September 12 and a cookery demonstration on November 21.

But it is hoping for the biggest turn-out when best-selling travel writer and radio and TV presenter Stuart Maconie visits the church to star in An Evening With... provisionally arranged for November 28.