A Salford community was left “shocked and saddened” after donations were stolen from an Easter event at a church.
The incident, which happened at Monton Unitarian Church last Thursday (April 17), saw money stolen from the donations box of a local performer who was putting on a free party for children.
Lucy Wilkinson, known professionally as Louby Lou, said she was “blown away” by the community spirit and generosity she was met with after the theft.
Louby Lou said: “I’m just shocked it happened in a church. I love Monton and didn’t want it to spoil an afternoon of pure joy.”
Louby Lou often performs at Monton Unitarian Church, most recently at a Christmas party with Santa as well as a Valentine’s Day service focusing on love with Rev. Anna Jarvis.
Last week, she invited children and parents from the local area into the church for some Easter-themed fun, accompanied by the Easter bunny.
A donation pot was positioned by the entrance and had collected “about twenty pounds or so in notes and pound coins” for the performer.
As families left the church chatting after the party, Church Secretary Pam Ward-Speers came into lock up and return the donation box. She came across a nearly empty donation box, with “only the coppers left”.
“How unfair that someone had taken the donations,” Pam said. “The church is a safe space and we shouldn’t really be worried about having things stolen.”
Pam took to Facebook to alert the Monton community what happened, writing: “She works hard for our church and the children had a lovely time with her and the Easter Bunny – it was such a shame for it to end this way.”
Soon enough, Monton locals were “happy to contribute” money towards a fund to cover the lost donations.
One commenter wrote: “We’re doing free crafts in the hall on Saturday, I’ll put a donation pot out for Louby Loo, so sorry to hear this.”
Following the floods of offers of donations, Pam approached Rev. Anna Jarvis who suggested that donations could be made through the church’s website and be passed on to Louby Lou.
“I’m blown away by it all,” said Louby Lou. “Rev. Anna and I have a mantra – ‘love always wins’, and it does.
“Thank you to everyone who came along… Thank you to everybody who commented and donated.”
Pam has since confirmed that online contributions have more than twice reimbursed Louby Lou’s lost donations.