Kind hearted couple donate to Highland cathedral after theft

A kind hearted couple have dipped into their own pockets and replaced money stolen from a Highland church.
More than £350 was stolen from Dornoch Cathedral. PIC: www.geograph.co.ukMore than £350 was stolen from Dornoch Cathedral. PIC: www.geograph.co.uk
More than £350 was stolen from Dornoch Cathedral. PIC: www.geograph.co.uk

Stephen and Jayne Pagan said they were shocked and appalled that someone had broken into a donations box at Dornoch Cathedral just weeks before Christmas.

At least £350 was stolen from the church on Friday.

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The Pagans, pictured here with Reverend Susan Brown, the minister at Dornoch and the Moderator Designate of the General Assembly, said they were sickened by the theft and decided to donate the lost sum to the church. PIC: Contributed.The Pagans, pictured here with Reverend Susan Brown, the minister at Dornoch and the Moderator Designate of the General Assembly, said they were sickened by the theft and decided to donate the lost sum to the church. PIC: Contributed.
The Pagans, pictured here with Reverend Susan Brown, the minister at Dornoch and the Moderator Designate of the General Assembly, said they were sickened by the theft and decided to donate the lost sum to the church. PIC: Contributed.

The Pagans described the theft as “gut wrenching” for a small place that worked hard to support local people and the wider community.

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Mr Pagan said he and his wife, who run The Steading guesthouse at Balnapolaig, Dornoch decided to replace the £350, partly in memory of his late sister-in-law, Sonje Marshall, who died earlier this year at the age of 50.

Sonje, who had Down’s Syndrome and advanced dementia, regularly attended Dornoch Cathedral and its Common Ground group, which supports Adults with disabilities.

Reverend Susan Brown of Dornoch Cathedral. PIC: Contributed.Reverend Susan Brown of Dornoch Cathedral. PIC: Contributed.
Reverend Susan Brown of Dornoch Cathedral. PIC: Contributed.

Minister, Rev Susan Brown, the Moderator Designate of the General Assembly, said she was “really touched” by the couple’s gesture and described them as “special” people.

She added that the building was always left open during the day for visitors but could now be locked as a result of the theft.

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Mr Pagan, who is originally from Melbourne in Australia, said: “I felt a huge pain in my heart when I heard what had happened.

“It was almost like someone had died because this kind of thing tends not to happen in Dornoch.

The Pagans, pictured here with Reverend Susan Brown, the minister at Dornoch and the Moderator Designate of the General Assembly, said they were sickened by the theft and decided to donate the lost sum to the church. PIC: Contributed.The Pagans, pictured here with Reverend Susan Brown, the minister at Dornoch and the Moderator Designate of the General Assembly, said they were sickened by the theft and decided to donate the lost sum to the church. PIC: Contributed.
The Pagans, pictured here with Reverend Susan Brown, the minister at Dornoch and the Moderator Designate of the General Assembly, said they were sickened by the theft and decided to donate the lost sum to the church. PIC: Contributed.

“It was gut wrenching really and we couldn’t believe that someone would steal from a church at Christmas which is a time for giving not taking.

“We immediately said to each other ‘lets find out how much is missing’ and just replace it because we knew that a lot of people who worked hard to raise it would be feeling bad.

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“Sonje was very much involved in the life of the Cathedral and we knew that she would have wanted to do something about it as well.

“So we replaced the £350, that Rev Brown knew had been taken, on Sonje’s behalf too.”

Reverend Susan Brown of Dornoch Cathedral. PIC: Contributed.Reverend Susan Brown of Dornoch Cathedral. PIC: Contributed.
Reverend Susan Brown of Dornoch Cathedral. PIC: Contributed.

The money had been raised to pay off loans and bills owed for the refurbishment of the West Church Hall.

Mrs Brown described the Pagans, who moved to Dornoch five years ago to look after Ms Marshall, as a “special couple.”

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She said: “Stephen and Jayne did so much to involve Sonje in everything and they gave her so many experiences that many with her condition might not ordinarily have.

“They are a special couple.

“But what makes the gift extra special is the thought of it coming in Sonje’s name too.

“Sonje loved this time of year especially.

“Sonje celebrated her Birthday between Christmas and Hogmanay - December 29th -so it was a real celebration time for her and she enjoyed singing Carols in the Cathedral.

“It is so touching that her own welcoming and trusting nature should be marked like this and bring, as Sonje did, a smile again to people’s faces.”

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Mrs Brown, who conducted Ms Marshall’s funeral in March, said she had received more than 500 messages of support from people following the theft.

She added that the cathedral had a discretionary fund which is used to help people in need if they ask.

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