A fundraiser to help pay for graves that were vandalised by yobs is taking place this Saturday.

Relatives were left distraught after they discovered their loved ones’ graves had been desecrated at Chatham Cemetery in June.

Headstones were broken and ornaments thrown and smashed. The yobs also went to the children’s section of the site, tearing up flowers and setting light to them and to cuddly toys left on babies’ graves.

Richard Stoneman and his wife Tracey found their son’s grave had been affected. Baby Richard died 25 years ago when he was just 10 hours old.

Mr Stoneman was so affected by what happened at the cemetery and frustrated that no one has been arrested or charged in relation to the crime, he and his friends went on a fundraising mission to raise enough money to offer a reward.

With the help of several pubs and businesses in the Towns, the group, which are calling themselves The Chatham Cemetery Trust, managed to raise £500 for information leading to the conviction of the culprits, who have still not been found.

This Saturday he is also holding a fundraiser to raise money for those who can’t afford to have damaged graves repaired.

It takes place at the Ship Inn, High Street, Rochester from 7pm until late. It will include a raffle and a head shave.