New Forest nuns' prayers answered

By Victoria Bartlett
BBC Hampshire & Isle of Wight

Sister Rosaleen and Sister Michelle are thankful for the community's help

New Forest nuns had their prayers answered when they asked for help to fix their unsafe fire escape.

The Dominican Sisters of St Dominic's Priory in the New Forest urgently needed to raise money to replace their run down outdoor staircase.

Their insurers gave them 60 days to complete the work but they did not think it would be possible to raise the required £11,000.

The generosity of the local community has helped them succeed.

Stairway to heaven?

Sister Rosaleen from St Dominic's Priory said: "We knew the staircase from the fire escape was decrepit - but when a workman rushed up there one day and his foot went through the tread we realised something needed to be done.

"And then when the insurance people visited to assess the building, that was the final straw.

"If it was not replaced then it would not be legal for people to stay with us.

And that is part of our ministry, to open our house to people to stay 'with guard'."

Appeal for help on BBC Radio Solent

The steps were in a poor state with pieces falling off, rendering it unsafe

Sister Michelle wrote to BBC Radio Solent's religious programme presenter Tim Daykin, asking for help in promoting their annual cream tea in the hope they would raise funds and community awareness of their plight.

Sister Michelle said: "We could hardly believe the tremendous response we had from the community, thanks to our appeal.

"People kept coming and coming and coming - we had to go out twice and buy more cream and bake two more batches of scones. Visitors even stepped in to help serve when the queues got too long!

"It was a bit of a Dunkirk spirit - a sense of the community coming together to help, support and encourage. We raised £2,014 on that day."

Pulling together as a community

Those who were unable to attend donated to the fire escape appeal and offers of help came in other ways from local tradesmen.

Sister Michelle added: "A local builder knocked on the door, kindly offering pieces of a fire escape he had in his yard.

"Then an electrician who was listening to BBC Radio Solent offered his assistance free of charge. The Lord has been so good to us through His people.

"Every day there is something in the post - everything from £10 to £500. The local Catholic churches also heard about our story and started raising money for us too."

Charity in credit crunch times

People can visit the Priory for peace and quiet and to pray

St Dominic's Priory have now raised the full amount required to rebuild their fire escape and external staircase.

When asked about why they think people have been so generous, Sister Rosaleen said: "Many people have said they like our presence in the New Forest and want us to stay.

"Plus I think people respond to vital things and will donate to important causes they feel strongly about, even when they are short of money themselves.

"We owe a great debt of thanks to everyone - the community has helped the Lord do his work and all people who have helped are sharing in our life and the graces that the Lord sends.

The Sisters are yet to decide how to mark the grand opening of the new fire escape.