Reverend saddened after PEH chapel’s donation box stolen

The oak donation box, which was hand carved by a local carpenter, was stolen on Tuesday along with its contents after being unscrewed from the wall of the Princess Elizabeth Hospital Chapel.

The Rev. Linda Le Vasseur said she was saddened that the box itself had been stolen, more so than the £14 cash inside it.

‘It is a beautifully handcrafted box,’ she said.

‘To steal a box that funds holding crosses that we give out to those people in need, as well as other services we hold such as communions, it’s a very low-life thing to do.’

Mrs Le Vasseur is now worried that the loss of the box, which she empties every week, will mean that the chapel will also lose out on donations that help fund the hospital chapel and is hoping to have a new one in place soon.

‘George Torode, the carpenter who made it, was very upset and disappointed to hear of its theft. He was very proud of what he made for us,’ she said.

‘Because it was so difficult to open, I think it will probably have had to be smashed up to get inside.

‘My hope now is if it is not returned – which I don’t find likely – is for Mr Torode to make us a new one.’

Guernsey Police are now looking for the culprit using CCTV footage from outside the chapel.

‘We are seeking witnesses after a charity box from the Princess Elizabeth Hospital chapel was stolen,’ a spokesman said.

‘It was taken some time between 9am on Tuesday 10 September and 9am on Wednesday 11 September.

‘This charity box is the only funding stream for the hospital chapel and is used for the benefit of chapel users.

‘The box is unique in style and easily recognisable.’

n Anyone with any information is requested to contact PC20 Stephen Phillips on 725111 ext 4702 or stephen.phillips@guernsey.pnn.police.uk.