KIND fundraising efforts from the congregation at St Thomas' Church in Stockton Heath have helped its link parish in Nigeria carry out a revamp.

Following the donations over the last 18 months, St David's, in Osi, has been able to fit windows and a ceiling.

The partnership came about through congregation members Dr Olu Olojugba and her husband Dr Oluwashe Olojugba.

Olu is being licensed as a pastoral worker for the St Thomas' parish on September 26 at Chester Cathedral.

Oluwashe has connections with the church in Osi and has helped connect the parishes together.

As a symbol of the unity, the Rev Michael Ridley, from St Thomas', revealed a brass cross will be given to St David's to go on its altar table.

It sets up a double celebration on September 27 when the cross will be presented.

Mr Ridley said: "As the cross was originally given in memory of Jessie Borthwick Finlayson in 1951 we would like to contact any relatives to make sure they approve of us gifting the cross to our link church.

"We also thought it would be appropriate to include any family in the presenting of the cross.

"We will celebrate Olu becoming a pastoral worker and our re-dedicating of the cross after restoration."

On Sunday St Thomas' emphasised the difference between the lives of children in Stockton Heath and Osi at its latest collection organised to continue the support.

"Not all children would go to school, few, if any, would have shoes, there would be no computers and very few school books and most children would walk several miles to school every day," added Mr Ridley.