Bid for a chance to have Sir Michael Palin as your tour guide for the day at a historic church

The beautiful 19th Century Grade II* Listed church on the Isle of Sheppey was gutted by a devastating fire in 2001 but has been completely restored. Will Palin oversaw the restoration to this magnificent church, so you will be able to hear first-hand about this project during the tour and over lunch with them both afterwards.

This prize is one more than 50 being offered to help the leading church heritage charity, the National Churches Trust, raise funds to help keep even more churches across the UK open and in good repair.

The ‘Going, Going, Saved!’ online auction opened on June 7 and will run until 5pm on Friday, June 28. People can bid online at any point during this time at www.nationalchurchestrust.org/auction to win any of these amazing lots.

Sir Michael Palin has been a Vice-President of the National Churches Trust for many years, supporting the charity in its mission to help struggling churches across the UK stay open and in use.

“There must be a recognition that the local church still means something to the community. A recognition that English churches remain an enormously valuable part of our national heritage," shares Sir Michael Palin, Vice President of the National Churches Trust.

"For my part, I feel very strongly that if the idea of a community is to mean anything at all, then we must value the churches that are at their centre. Not just because so many are beautiful buildings in themselves, but for what they can still offer, as they used to offer, as havens, shelters, places of protection – places which it doesn’t cost a penny to enter, and in which it won’t cost you a penny to stay all day.”

“We must not be afraid to try and use our churches, open them for believers and non-believers, and even ‘agnostics with doubts’ to enjoy. They are an archive of hopes, dreams, fears, skills, talent and troubles, which should surely be available to as many people as possible. They are a precious expression of our past. And it is the duty of our present generation to deliver them intact for the future.”

Other once-in-a-lifetime opportunities include:

• Joining TV host of Pointless Alexander Armstrong in the Classic FM studio as he presents his hit radio show
• A private tour and lunch with Outnumbered and Mock the Week star Hugh Dennis around St Bart’s church – the oldest church in London
• Tour of Sheffield Cathedrals and lunch with Songs of Praise presenter Richard Taylor
• A private tour of the Houses of Parliament with the Rt Revd and Rt Hon Lord Chartres GCVO, who will delight with stories of this UNESCO World Heritage site.

For art and history lovers, other delights include a private tour of St George’s Chapel at Windsor Castle for ten people with the Revd Canon Dr Mark Powell, seeing former Antiques Roadshow host Peter Nahum’s personal art collection, as well as a private tour of the crypt and archives at Liverpool Cathedral, which are not usually open to the public.

You can also enjoy being guided around the gardens at New College, Oxford with Garden Fellow and regular Financial Times columnist Robin Lane Fox or you could discover the best of Irish art and culture at Hambly & Hambly with a tour and dinner.

With more than 50 prizes up for grabs, from historical church pamphlets to a week’s break in the South of France, there is something for everyone and there are many chances for people to join Michael Palin and the National Churches Trust in helping to keep churches in the UK open and in use.

“The future of the UK’s churches is the biggest heritage challenge today," explains Claire Walker, Chief Executive of the National Churches Trust.

"The UK has some of the most historic and beautiful churches, chapels and meeting houses to be found anywhere in the world. But many are at risk of closing for good if urgent action is not taken.”

“It is great to see so many people want to donate their time and prizes to help support us in our work to keep churches open and in good repair so that their communities can use and enjoy them.”