A fundraiser has been started on behalf of St. John the Divine Anglican Church, which was robbed late Monday night.

The church, located on Kinchant Street, was broken into on Saturday night (Oct. 27), and then broken into again and items were stolen late Monday night (Oct. 29).

A professional stainless steel kitchen trolley, a Passport sound system, a keyboard, microphones, a Blu-Ray/DVD player, and a CD player was taken.

The theives attempted to steal a TV, however it fell to the ground and was smashed in the attempt, so they left it behind. Three doors were also broken and had to be replaced.

Quesnel RCMP’s Sgt. Chris Riddle told the Observer the local RCMP conducted a scene survey at the church and determined there was potential forensic evidence to be examined.

The Forensic Identification Section (FIS) out of Williams Lake was called in to do a work up at the scene, and the incident is still under investigation, pending an FIS report, said Riddle.

Between the cost of the stolen items and repairing the damage, it’s going to cost $6,000. The church is insured, but has a $5,000 deductible, meaning they’re on the hook for the first $5,000. The insurance plan is something Honey Affleck, the secretary for the church, says they can barely afford as is.

The fundraiser was started after the church and Affleck posted to Facebook, looking for anyone with a kitchen trolley (which runs about $750 new) for sale. Since it started, Affleck says approximately $500 has been raised.

“It just blew me away,” says Affleck. “It just kind of blew up on Facebook … It’s quite nice, actually, when you consider all the things that we do for this community.”

Donations can be dropped off at the church during the week from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Mondays and Tuesdays, or from 10 a.m. to noon on Wednesdays and Fridays. The church is located at 465 Kinchant Street.

Donations can also be dropped off at AC&D Insurance on Reid Street.

heather.norman@quesnelobserver.comLike us on Facebook