Caretakers of a Cape Breton cemetery are asking for help with repairing the fence protecting the graveyard.

The congregation has spent the past four year raising $18,000 for a new fence at the All Saint Anglican Cemetery. Half of the fence is new, but when they went to replace the other half, they learned that the price had gone up.

"We just got a new quote for the remaining two sides, and it's increased by $3,600 dollars,” said Shirley Kelly, treasurer of the cemetery’s congregation. “Which is much more than we anticipated.”

The congregation is vastly made up of seniors – many of them that are not able-bodied.

The fencing company that installed the newer portion of the fence say they are continuing to meet with the congregation to try and find ways to get the rest of the job done.

"We have been told by the fencing company that if we can manage to get some volunteers together to remove the remaining two sides and cut back the shrubbery, we can save $1,800," said Kelly.

She says the rest of the money can be fundraised, but finding helping hands has proved difficult.

"Able-bodied people with the tools – we don't even mind renting the tools,” said Kelly. “But people who are willing and able to come and give us a day's work."

People like June Penney, whose parents, husband and friends rest in the cemetery, is Kelly’s motivation.

"It would mean a lot, and we'd appreciate anybody's help. We certainly need it," said Penney.

Some sections of the 80-year-old fence surrounding the cemetery are completely toppled, while other parts are crumbling away.

The congregation hopes to have the new fence installed before the winter.

With files from CTV Atlantic’s Ryan MacDonald.