AMBITIOUS plans for modernisation of an Amman Valley church are almost complete, but fundraisers are desperate to push the project over the finishing line.

Pastor Steve Nancarrow created The Alternative Project (TAP)in a bid to fund the demolition and enlarged and improved rebuilding of Elim Church, Pantyffynnon, as a community hub offered a range of services andfacilities for the area.

Whenthe costs of the original proposalscamein at £400,000 the project seemed all but impossible, but now TAP is just £50,000 short of achieving its dream and renovating the 100-year-old building.

“This is a new-build project for both the church and the community that will draw them closer together and provide modern facilities including a multi-purposemain hall, lecture and meeting rooms, indoor sports facilities, and a luncheon club for the elderly and lonely,” said Rev Nancarrow.

“While the cost of the project is huge for a small family church, every one in the community is  working hard to raise the necessary funds and we are now just £50,000 short of our target.”

The most recent fundraising venture saw youngsters from the church produce a booklet of poems entitled HeartfeltLove.

The poems, all Christianbased in content, were written bymembersof the congregation aged between nine and 18.

“Evenin this day and age, our children and youth still have a very real belief in God,” said Rev Nancarrow.

“The booklet also underlined their desire to be a part of this whole project.”

All of the money raised through the sale of the book will bedonated to the TAP fund.