Benefactors from across the world have pledged their support to Haworth Parish Church’s £1.25 million restoration appeal.

Donations totalling almost £5,000 have come in from as far afield as London, Gloucester, the US and Northern Ireland following a call for help on Boxing Day.

Before Christmas, church leaders warned they could lose a £100,000 English Heritage grant to repair the badly-leaking south roof unless they raised £65,000 in match funding before the middle of January.

An appeal launched in the spring had raised £33,000 meaning fundraisers had to find the remaining £32,000 in a matter of weeks.

Haworth Parish Council chairman John Huxley, who is also chairman of the church’s Future Group and secretary of the Parochial Church Council, said: “The response has been superb and we feel deeply humbled by it. Since Boxing Day we have received more than £4,500 from well-wishers. Obviously we have still got to raise a lot more but it is a big step along the way.

“People are now aware of the situation and we have more hope than we had before.”

The church’s plight has also been publicised in the national and international media, including in Ulster, Wales and US.

In the past seven days, a donation of £1,000 was made through the parish church website and Haworth Primary School gardening club donated a further £500. A charitable trust in Ilkley has also contacted the church to discuss a possible donation.

Coun Huxley said church leaders were also exploring the possibility of taking out a short-term loan to meet any shortfall in donations.

Priest in charge the Reverend Peter Mayo-Smith said: “It has been wonderful really to realise that so many people do care so passionately about the church. A lot of people have been putting their hands in their pockets and sending us donations. Just this morning I have received £250 in cheques. It is very humbling and we are extremely grateful to people who have donated. I am now optimistic we will reach our target.”

The church is visited by more than one million people every year.

Donations can be made at haworth church.co.uk or cheques made payable to Haworth Church Restoration Fund can be sent c/o the treasurer, 17 North View Terrace, Haworth, BD22 8HJ.