A community group from a sleepy village near Helston has found themselves in the spotlight, fielding calls from media organisations from across the globe.

Members of the Godolphin Cross Community Association made headlines last week, when it emerged that the prime minister of the United Arab Emirates had chipped in to help their cause.

The team were fundraising to save the Methodist Chapel in the village after it was put up for sale in 2016, but despite holding several events and a village fete, they were still well off their £90,000 target.

That was until Richard McKie appealed to Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Emir of Dubai, who kindly offered to help the group, and contributed enough funds to enable them to buy the church.

Sheikh Mohammed was chosen because of a historical link between the small village and the prime minister, dating back to the 18th century.

In 1724, the second earl of Godolphin bred a horse that would contribute to an important breed in top class racing, the Godolphin Arabian, from which all the Sheikh’s horses are descended.

But Richard thought this last-ditch attempt was bound to fail, and was amazed when the appeal was accepted, and enough money was sent to purchase the church.

Since then, the story has received international attention, with members of the community group being interviewed by national newspapers, CNN and other major media organisations.

Richard, chairman of the association, said: “We started last week with a local story but we’ve had all the national newspapers calling up about it.

“We’ve had the New York Times get in touch and they’re coming to the church today to do an interview with us, it’s tiring and terrifying, very hard work.

“They must see some worth in it, and I guess it’s a good news story – it’s a bit of a fairy tale.

“If Sheikh Mohammed ever comes to the area he would be more than welcome to visit, I’d get him a pasty.”

The association have now made an offer on the chapel which has been accepted, and the group have since turned their attention towards renovating the ancient building.

Richard believes that they need around £350,000 in total, and last weekend held the first in a new series of fundraisers, a village fete.

Held at Godolphin House, between 11am and 4pm, guests enjoyed tea, coffee and cakes, which were a fitting accompaniment to the raffle, crockery smash and tarot reading.

He added: “The fete went really well, and the weather was good, we had about 50 stalls there.

“The National Trust ran a stall and we had great food, it was a truly wonderful Cornish summer fete, with the weather to go with it.”