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Kirkheaton vicar's £10 handout raises thousands Kirkheaton vicar's £10 handout raises thousands
(35 minutes later)
A vicar who handed out £10 notes to his West Yorkshire congregation and asked them to invest it to help raise cash has had his prayers answered.A vicar who handed out £10 notes to his West Yorkshire congregation and asked them to invest it to help raise cash has had his prayers answered.
The Rev Richard Steel distributed £550 last November in the hope of raising money for repairs at St John's Church in Kirkheaton, near Huddersfield.The Rev Richard Steel distributed £550 last November in the hope of raising money for repairs at St John's Church in Kirkheaton, near Huddersfield.
Members of the church had used the cash to raise about £10,000, meaning the work could now go ahead, said Mr Steel.Members of the church had used the cash to raise about £10,000, meaning the work could now go ahead, said Mr Steel.
"It's inspired people. It's just taken off fantastically," he said."It's inspired people. It's just taken off fantastically," he said.
Parable of talentsParable of talents
While almost half a million pounds had already been raised over the past seven years towards repairs at St John's, Mr Steel said he decided to give his congregation a new challenge to find the remaining cash. While almost £500,000 has already been raised over the past seven years towards repairs at St John's, Mr Steel said he decided to give his congregation a new challenge to find the remaining cash.
Inspiration came from the parable of the talents, in which Jesus tells the story of a man who entrusts money to his servants, he said.Inspiration came from the parable of the talents, in which Jesus tells the story of a man who entrusts money to his servants, he said.
Members of the congregation used the money to buy materials and make products which they could then sell at a profit.Members of the congregation used the money to buy materials and make products which they could then sell at a profit.
The money raised would go towards installing double glazing, a new floor, toilets and heating, said Mr Steel.The money raised would go towards installing double glazing, a new floor, toilets and heating, said Mr Steel.
"It's inspired people and they've really put their creativity into it. That was always my idea - that everybody could take part," he said."It's inspired people and they've really put their creativity into it. That was always my idea - that everybody could take part," he said.