Vicar Suzanne Pattle will be praying for good weather when she spends the night on top of her church’s tower.

A mere tarpaulin cover will protect her from the elements when she embarks upon the sponsored sleepover on Saturday at St Mary Magdalene Church, Gillingham.

Proceeds from the event will be split between the St Mary’s Roof Appeal and the homeless charity Emmaus Medway.

Mrs Pattle said: “I’ll hold my evening prayer session at 5.30pm on Saturday, then climb the steep and narrow staircase to the top of the tower, taking a flask of hot tea, a sleeping bag and a woolly hat with me.

“The sleepover will finish at 6.30am on Sunday, then I’ll hold my 8am service. I’ve already told them not to expect great things from me as I doubt I’ll have had much sleep.”

About £200,000 of work needs to be carried out to the tower after thieves stole the church’s lead roof and damaged part of the wall.

An insurance payout, grants, church maintenance funds, donations and fund-raising events have raised the majority of the money, but there is still a shortfall of about £40,000.

If you would like to sponsor Mrs Pattle, cheques, made payable to Gillingham Parish Church, should be sent to the Rev Suzanne Pattle, The Vicarage, 27 Gillingham Green, Gillingham, ME7 1SS.

Alternatively you can email vicar@gillinghamparishchurch.org.uk