BISHOPS have been challenged to contribute to the saving of an abuse survivor’s business.

Andrew Graystone, who campaigns on behalf of survivors, wrote to the diocesan bishops on Tuesday about “VB”, whom he describes as “a survivor of non-recent abuse by multiple church officers” who suffers from depression.

VB runs a business, and “after a particularly bad period of depression, and in the midst of Covid” needs £6000 to stop it going under in the next two months.

Mr Graystone explained in a letter to the bishops: “The Lead Bishop for Safeguarding [Dr Jonathan Gibbs] has worked hard to persuade the Archbishops that there must be an interim fund to rescue those who are driven to the point of despair as a direct result of the church's abuse.

“But even that fund doesn’t exist yet. . . In the meantime, some survivors are desperate.”

Mr Graystone gave the bishops 48 hours to contribute to the appeal, writing: “I am asking you, of your Christian charity, to make personal contributions to rescue VB, who was so deeply harmed by leaders in your own Church.”

By Thursday afternoon, no donations had been received. Mr Graystone says that he will widen the appeal if funds are not forthcoming. You can visit the GoFundMe page here.

Read an extract from Andrew Graystone’s new book in our features this week