Thousands raised after ball breaks stained glass

Staff at Hull Minster say they have been overwhelmed with donations after a stained-glass window was smashed by a rugby ball.

The ball broke part of the church's west window after being kicked about 26ft (8m) into the air in February, according to a witness.

Repairs to the window and others there are expected to cost £30,000, but more than £16,000 has already been raised through a crowdfunding platform.

James Cameron, heritage manager at the church, said: "We've raised half the money needed, not just to fix that window, but to fix all of the stained glass and windows in the church, which is huge news for us."

"People have been generous in donations," he added. "It was really encouraging for us to see."

Following the incident, Cameron described the damage as worse than that suffered by the church during the bombing of World War Two.

Cameron said the preservation of the minster was "imperative".

"Many of the windows are memorial windows to philanthropists, doctors, merchants of the city's past, but also people who have lost their lives in war. We must preserve and respect them."

The windows also serve a practical purpose.

"We're coming up to this wet, windy, cold winter period. It's important for a building as large as ours to remain weather tight.

"You see so many churches across the country failing now because of increased running costs and energy costs.

"We need to keep our church well insulated before winter, as it helps keep our bills down."

The Rev Canon Dr Dominic Black, vicar of Hull Minster, said: "We've been overwhelmed by how the Hull community has rallied behind this appeal.

"Every contribution, large or small, brings us closer to seeing the light shine through that glass again."

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