A SMALL congregation of churchgoers have been busy doing God’s work after raising more than £16,000 for good causes in less than a year.

Despite only having 24 worshippers, the United Reformed Church in Leys Road, Cumnor, has raised the cash for a water supply and eight new classrooms at a Zambian school.

Churchgoers set themselves the target of two years to raise £10,000 for the project at the Hope and Faith Community School in the poverty stricken town of Lusaka.

Instead they raised the cash in just 12 months.

And they raised a further £6,000 to pay for pupils’ breakfasts and school runnings costs.

It held summer and winter lunches, sold old pews and an African food night netted £4,500 in donations alone.

Even a ruby wedding anniversary celebration for Marston URC treasurer Ian Simpson raised £800.

Cumnor URC Church treasurer Richard Dewar, 62, said: “Everybody is behind the project and we’re impressed a small congregation has been able to raise so much.”

It included an anonymous £1,000 donation said Mr Dewar, of Hurst Lane.

Mr Dewar’s wife Daphne said: “It’s a very dynamic church, that’s for sure. We’ve been very touched by the generosity of people. Our villagers have got a heart and it’s a really good place to live.

“Strangely enough it’s usually the ordinary people, those who you think could least afford that donate time after time.”

Fellow church-goer Briony Newport of Stanley Close, North Hinksey said: “This is an amazing group of older people who care for others.”

The church has also given £500 to the Oxford street pastors project, a team of Christians who offer a helping hand and a listening ear to late-night revellers.

The congregation also raised £40,000 for its own renovation over six years.

  • The church is holding winter lunches in the church hall every Saturday from 12pm until 2pm in November for the Zambian school.