Diocese appeals for donations to repair vandalised graves
A spokesperson for the diocese said it was "incredibly grateful" for donations that have already come in, but external funding via other online funds could not have gift aid applied, which would add extra cash to the total raised.The spokesperson added: "External funds make it difficult to manage the distribution of donations to the affected families. Donations which come to the diocese allow us to liaise with the owners of the lairs and fund the necessary repairs to their gravestones." The spokesperson also said that the diocese thanked everyone who has already offered support.
Word of the vandalism began to spread on social media on Sunday, followed by a statement from the Bishop of Paisley, John Keenan.By Monday the graveyard was filled with families checking whether graves of their loved ones had been affected. A staff member at the cemetery told BBC Scotland on Monday he had never seen vandalism like it in more than 30 years working there.One woman told BBC Scotland: "To see all this damage is horrendous. Everybody is in shock, they can't quite believe it. It's very emotional."
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