BIG-hearted Rotarians have given £2,000 to provide disabled access at Halesowen’s fire-ravaged Zion Christian Centre.

The front building was sealed off following the devastating blaze, shutting off access by wheelchairs and pushchairs to community rooms at the back.

But Halesowen and Rowley Regis Rotary Club came to the rescue and donated the money to build a temporary ramped entrance from the side of an area known as The Bridge which links the front with the back.

Senior pastor Rev Leon Evans said: “We are very grateful to the Rotary club for its help. It was a great gesture and we really appreciate it.

“We have had to relocate more meetings in the back and this means elderly and disabled people and mums and toddlers can access the activities.”

Rotary club president Alan Bowler said the fire had been a devastating blow for the church and his members wanted to help.

He added: “Zion is an important part of the community and that’s what we raise money for – the community.”

Hundreds of volunteers worked to make temporary worship and meeting areas in disused buildings on the Little Cornbow site which had been bought for future development.

More than £10,000 has flooded in from church members and the community to help in the clear up operation.

Rev Evans said: “The help we’ve had has been fantastic. We are up and running again and all phone lines, electricity and internet has been restored.”

He said the insurers had accepted liability but it will be some time before the extent of the payout is determined.

Rev Evans hopes church members will be allowed into the sealed off building soon to see what items can be salvaged.

An electrical fault was blamed for the fire in the early hours of Sunday August 30 which destroyed the auditorium and badly damaged other parts of the building including a cafe and hair salon social enterprise businesses.