A series of anonymous donations of gold coins, totaling around £100,000, has brought unexpected financial relief and a surge of hope to small churches and their associated schools in the North Lancashire and Cumbria regions of England. The benefactor, a man known only as James, a local resident in his 60s or 70s and described as a devout Christian, has been discreetly leaving gold coins, primarily 1oz Gold Britannia coins, in or near church locations since July 2022.
The full extent of his generosity has only recently come to light as some recipients have begun cashing in the coins, which have significantly increased in value since their distribution. At Quernmore’s St Peter's church and its primary school, a bag of ten gold coins, then valued at £1,000 each, was left by the motorcyclist. The sale of these coins provided £15,000, which helped the school purchase interactive whiteboards.
A Crusade of Generosity
This charitable effort appears to be a personal crusade by the donor to support churches and schools he encountered during his travels. James, who is believed to be a Hells Angel member based on his attire, has left coins in various locations, including under church doors and in collection boxes. Only a handful of people have met him, and his desire for anonymity has meant that many donations went unreported until recently. The story gained wider attention when a parishioner's son, an accountant with press contacts, shared the information.
At St Wilfrid’s Church in Melling, nine gold Britannia coins were found by the vicar, Jane Lee, under the altar. While the approximately £30,000 they fetched is a fraction of the £750,000 needed for urgent repairs, the donation has galvanized local fundraising efforts. The Bishop of Blackburn, the Right Rev Philip North, has lauded the gifts as having "absolutely massive" symbolic value, reminding rural communities that they are not alone in supporting their churches.
Mending and Inspiring
Some churches have used the funds to address immediate repair needs. St Margaret's Church in Hornby used three gold coins, which raised £8,000, to repair damage caused by lead thieves who had stripped the roof, leading to water damage to the organ. The coins, left in a donation box, surprisingly covered the cost of repairs.
St John the Baptist Church in Tunstall, a place visited by the Bronte sisters in the early 19th century, received a gold Britannia and seven silver coins. Retired teacher Sue Hunter, a former churchwarden, found the coins in a bag left on the altar. After being kept safely for four years, the gold coin sold for £3,000 and the silver coins for £500, contributing to the preservation of the church's stained-glass windows.
The Benefactor's Trail
Details about the donor, who signed a visitor's book at St Wilfrid’s as ‘James, Servant of the Living Lord,’ suggest he is a local resident who has been a long-term customer of a Blackpool bullion dealer, Chards. Rochelle Garrad, the firm's head of operations, noted that James spoke of his religious beliefs and had even given them a book he had written about Christianity. He has not been in contact with Chards since 2023, leading to speculation about his current well-being.
Recipients describe James as shy, unassuming, and gentle. One teacher, Rachel Stevenson, recalled a conversation about life and God during his visit to Quernmore. The precise route of his donations, stretching approximately 30 miles along the A6 and A683, suggests a planned itinerary of churches he wished to support. The rising price of gold has meant that those who held onto their coins the longest have seen the greatest returns, with six coins sold as a lot by two churches fetching nearly £20,000.