COMMUNITY spirit reigned supreme as parishioners congregated to fundraise for a new roof at St Andrew’s Parish Church.

A Gift Aid morning saw dozens of generous Barrhead churchgoers gather to put their hands in their pockets to exchange items and add to a cash pot which will help to upgrade the 224-year-old structure.

Church members hope to have enough funds by the end of the month to strengthen the roof before the winter weather kicks in.

Several town residents also attended the event in a bid to help cover the cost of the reparations.

St Andrew’s Church member Jan Struthers told the Barrhead News the get-together had been a great success, with organisers still busy totting up donations.

She said: “We have a Gift Aid event every year and, this year, everything is going to the purchase of a new hall for the church.

“We don’t know exactly how much was raised but the event was well attended.

“The fundraising will be ongoing until the end of October.

“All the money was raised through donations for cups of tea and coffee, as well as some home baking.

“We had a harvest collection too and it went really well.

“All of the local churches organised a collection and the proceeds went to the Glasgow Lodging House Mission.”

St Andrew’s Parish Church of Scotland was formed four years ago, following a union of Arthurlie Church and South and Levern Church.

Sunday worship currently takes place in the church’s Ralston Road building, formerly Arthurlie Church, at 9.30am and 11am.