Hi, I'm Michael, Priest-in-Charge of St Fillan's Episcopal Church, Buckstone (in Edinburgh).

I am leaving my post to start a new job, but before I go, I wanted to fundraise for St Fillan's - to help make it an even more welcoming and accessible space than it already is. As well as a church, St Fillan's is a hub for the local community.

And I have set myself a challenge - to walk from church to St Fillan's Cave in Pittenweem, via the Forth Road Bridge and the Fife Coastal Path - a two day hike! I plan to do this on 1st and 2nd August.

At the moment, we have no step-free access to our toilets in church. Our toilets are in our lobby, which can only be accessed via steps. If you are in the main part of the church, and you have limited mobility or are a wheelchair user, you have to exit via the kitchen door, go up an outside ramp to the front of the church. And then, someone else has to put down a portable ramp for you to gain access to the lobby. This is not ideal.

One solution is to have a new side entrance (see my MS Paint "artist's impression"), but we have been advised that this will cost from at least £50k. Hence the amount I am seeking to raise. Of course, I may not reach my target, but I want to raise as much as I can, and I can't do this without your help. I hope the option to Gift Aid your donation will be available soon.

I realise there are many worthy causes out there to give to, but every little will help. Whatever you can spare will be very much appreciated. You may not benefit, personally, from your donation. However, your contribution will have a tangible impact on a valuable community space.

Thanks and God bless!

Michael

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