Church in Milford on Sea given £200k anonymous donation
A mystery donor has given a Hampshire church a £200,000 gift to help solve its financial troubles.
Prayers were held with parishioners during which the money worries at All Saints' Church in Milford on Sea, Hampshire, were mentioned.
An anonymous benefactor then donated £3,000 and later, to the vicar's surprise, another gave £200,000.
The windfall will be used to continue the church's work with young people and families in the New Forest.
In a note explaining the gift, the donor wrote: "Before this matter of financial need was raised I know God prompted me to 'put my hand in my pocket'.
"So it is with great joy that I have given this gift of £200,000 for the continuing work among our young people."
The Rev Dominic Furness, 59, said it was a "wonderful gift" which had moved some of the 250-strong congregation to tears at the Grade I-listed Norman church.
Mr Furness said: "Both people who made the donations had approached our treasurer. I have no idea who they are.
"One has seen God provide in other ways before but not to this scale. We feel a sense now of anticipation because God has given us something special."