A recent article in the Church Times has highlighted a recorded increase in thefts of lead from church roofs. Such thefts present enormous financial consequences and can cause untold damage to a church, and distress to the affected congregation.

But there is an answer to this.

Since 2016 a special fundraising appeal has enabled OHCT to offer churches protection against these callous thefts by awarding grants to meet 50% of the cost of installing roof alarms up to a maximum amount of £2,500. A generous grant from the Allchurches Trust (ACT) has now enabled OHCT to continue this scheme for another two years.

Cynthia Robinson, OHCT’s Grants Officer, said: “To date we have awarded in total £78k to 38 churches across the county. We are delighted that the Allchurches Trust grant enables us to continue this scheme. The article in the Church Times shows just how important it is for any church with a lead roof to fit an alarm without delay.”

Full details of the scheme can be found here.