Online fundraising drive launched to help Staveley churches targeted by criminals

By Michael Broomhead
Published 27th Aug 2020, 12:30 BST
Watch more of our videos on ShotsTV.com 
and on Freeview 262 or Freely 565
Visit Shots! now
A man has launched a fundraising drive to help two Staveley churches which were targeted by yobs.

The community was left in shock after holes were discovered in windows at Staveley Methodist Church and St John the Baptist Church.

MORE: Chesterfield Waterside development progressing well despite coronavirus pandemic

It is believed a weapon was used to create the holes – and police are now investigating the crimes.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad
Holes in windows at Staveley Methodist Church (right) and St John the Baptist Church (left).Holes in windows at Staveley Methodist Church (right) and St John the Baptist Church (left).
Holes in windows at Staveley Methodist Church (right) and St John the Baptist Church (left).

James Salt, of Barrow Hill, is due to marry his partner Kirsty Dale at St John the Baptist Church in September.

He has now set up this GoFundMe page in a bid to raise £1,000 to help the churches cover repair costs.

James, 27, said: “I was disappointed and quite angry when I found out what had happened.

“Who would do something like that to a church?

James Salt and Kirsty Dale, who are due to tie the knot at St John the Baptist Church.James Salt and Kirsty Dale, who are due to tie the knot at St John the Baptist Church.
James Salt and Kirsty Dale, who are due to tie the knot at St John the Baptist Church.

“I just don’t understand what the people behind it must have been thinking.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“With me getting married to Kirsty at St John the Baptist Church, this is something close to my heart so that’s why I set up the GoFoundMe page.

“These are tough times for churches because of the pandemic so I think it’s important to do something to try and help them out.”

Reverend Richard Harris, minister at Staveley Methodist Church, spoke to the Derbyshire Times after the buildings were targeted.

He said: “This is like an attack on the whole community – the church is used by many people.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“It’s an act of mindless vandalism and I think the most worrying thing about it all is that it appears some sort of weapon was used.

“If somebody had been inside the church at the time and was hit by an object, it could have been life-threatening.”

A spokesperson for Derbyshire Constabulary said the holes in the churches ‘appear to have been made by small plastic pellets’.

Anyone with information about the offences – which were reported to have happened on the evening of August 7 or the early hours of August 8 – should call police on 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

MORE: Walk and book release to honour life of Chesterfield LGBT+ pioneer Edward Carpenter

A message from the editor

Thank you for reading this story on our website. While I have your attention, I also have an important request to make of you.

In order for us to continue to provide high quality and trusted local news on this free-to-read site, I am asking you to also please purchase a copy of our newspaper.

Our journalists are highly trained and our content is independently regulated by IPSO to some of the most rigorous standards in the world. But being your eyes and ears comes at a price. So we need your support more than ever to buy our newspapers during this crisis.

With the coronavirus lockdown having a major impact on many of our local valued advertisers - and consequently the advertising that we receive - we are more reliant than ever on you helping us to provide you with news and information by buying a copy of our newspaper.

Thank you

Nancy Fielder, editor