The Archdiocese of Southwark has hit the halfway mark in its campaign to raise £4.5 million for retired and sick clergy.

The Clergy Support Campaign, which was started last year, has already raised £2.3 million. In Croydon alone, £330,000 was raised in the pilot campaign.

Jo Driver, campaign co-ordinator, said most of the money raised so far came from parishioners, but a “small part” was from corporate and major gifts.

The campaign was launched in response to a shortfall of £4.5 million because of a peak in retiring priests.