Tombolas face church ban

RAFFLES and tombolas could be banned at a church after fears the traditional fundraisers did not fit in with Christian values.

Members of Kelvedon United Reformed Church are to have a vote about whether to scrap such events at future church functions.

The debate was sparked by church elder, Quentin Colborn, who wrote about it in the church's monthly magazine.

He was opposed by fundraising committee member, John Allard, who also wrote in the magazine in favour of tombolas and raffles.

In Mr Colborn's piece, he urged church members to consider the impact of gambling on wider society.

“While I fully recognise the raffles and tombolas are not in the same league as internet gambling and betting on horse races, they are part of the same family where the intention is to get something for little or nothing at all - and take a risk in doing so,” Mr Colborn wrote.

“Many families have been devastated by gambling addition, and while I doubt if anyone will end up addicted to raffles, what message does it send to those outside the church if we run gambling activities?”

He said last night: “The church has been talking in terms of the changes it wants to make and it was discussed at a meeting at the end of November.

“Some details were put for the church to think about in the January magazine and it is going to be talked about at a meeting in April.”

Mr Allard called on the church to “live and let live” and said any money raised for the church by tombolas and raffles would not be tainted.

He said: “Quentin obviously thinks Christians should set a good example of good living.

“My view is that simple raffles for inexpensive presents would not lead to anyone being addicted to really awful gambling and getting their family into trouble.

“Jesus himself turned water into wine, so we can't disapprove of wine in principle but we can disapprove of drunkenness, as many non-Christians do.”