KIND-HEARTED well-wishers who attended the golden jubilee celebrations at St Mary at Latton Church, Harlow, donated over £100 to replace money stolen at the church fete.

The cash disappeared from the cash box on the book stall while the stallholder, church treasurer Derek Humphrey, was serving a customer.

The Rev Shaun Conlon said: "The money was taken within literally a few seconds while Derek was attending to a customer. It's very sad that at a church fete somebody felt they could do that."

But just minutes later, visitors had almost made up the loss through donations, including one of £25.

"We were very fortunate that a number of people heard what happened and gave donations to replace the money," Mr Conlon added.

"We give away 10 per cent of our funds to charity at the end of each year, so when you have money stolen it limits the good work we can do in the community and the wider world.

"However, it raised our spirits to know that people were happy to give donations and they felt they could help. It restores your confidence in human beings to know that, although there are rogues out there, there are kind, generous, thoughtful people as well."

July 16, 2002 11:00