Sheikh steps in to buy village chapel in Cornwall

Image copyright Google Image caption Villagers want to convert the chapel into a community centre

The ruler of Dubai and the United Arab Emirates, Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, has helped a small Cornish village buy its Methodist chapel.

Residents of Godolphin Cross near Helston emailed him in a desperate attempt to raise funds.

The village shares a name with the world famous Godolphin stables, founded by the sheikh.

Richard Mckie from the Godolphin Cross Community Association said: "We are extremely appreciative."

The group needed £90,000 to buy the chapel that they intend to convert into a community centre, and had raised £25,000 towards it.

Image caption Sheikh Mohammed named his racing group after the horse Godolphin Arabian

It's not known how much was contributed by the Sheikh Mohammed, but Mr Mckie said "it has pushed us across the line".

One villager, Valerie Wallace, had the idea as a last ditch attempt, with the group having failed to raise sufficient funds elsewhere.

"We thought nothing of it and then we began to get phone calls from Abu Dhabi," Mr Mckie said.

"We thought we were being hoaxed but it was no hoax."

The sheikh, who has been invited to visit the village, was unavailable for comment.

The group now needs to raise a further £350,000 to restore the hall.

from BBC News - World http://ift.tt/2ujs8la