Rector Silke Tetzlaff stands at the damaged memorial wall

by Angela Cole

A 12-year-old boy was so shocked to read that a wall displaying tribute plaques in a churchyard had been flattened he offered his pocket money.

Geroge Taylor, who lives in Coldharbour Road, Northfleet, got in touch with the KM Group after he read about the sickening attack on our website.

The memorial wall at All Saints’ Church in High Street, Staplehurst, has been reduced to a massive pile of rubble, with tribute plaques lying in the middle.

The attack happened between Sunday, August 19, and noon on Monday, August 20, and damage has been estimated at between £5,000 and £20,000.

George Taylor has offered his pocket money to help rebuild a vandalised church

The youngster supports the Royal British Legion and last weekend completed a 40-mile walk across Kent to help the charity’s Battle Back Centre, a sports centre in the West Midlands offering rehabilitation to injured service personnel.

"it does make me very angry when things like this happen" – george taylor, 12

He said: “I would like to send them some money to mend their memorial wall.
“It does make me very angry when things like this happen.”

Church organisers did their best to contact as many families affected as possible, but not all could be reached before they arrived to visit the site and lay flowers to relatives.

Rector Silke Tetzlaff said: “We couldn’t contact everyone.

“We put it on the website and put up notices to show we were on to it, but unfortunately a few families did arrive and it was a bit of shock to the system for them.”

Vandals are believed to have pushed down the wall to which the plaques were attached.

A structural engineer confirmed the damage involving four metres of the wall had been caused intentionally.

Rector Tetzlaff said she was very touched by George’s offer.

If you can help, phone PC Daniel Stride on 101, quoting reference YY/015354/12. Alternatively phone Kent CrimeStoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555111.