Money is being raised for a priest after his camera - that he used to record mass for people feeling lonely in lockdown - was stolen by thieves.
Father Andrew Pastore had been putting money away for three years to buy a camera with his own savings.
The priest, who serves at St Vincent de Paul's RC Church in Over Hulton, had just bought his new camera in February and was using the kit to record masses while people cannot attend church services because of coronavirus lockdown.
But on April 4, thieves stole the camera from the priest's home office after he had finished recording his Palm Sunday vigil.
Fr Pastore, 53, told the M.E.N.: "I had been saving three years for the blinking thing and I only bought it in February.
"It was a nice camera and I had invested a lot into it.
"When we are dealing with all of the stuff we are dealing with at the moment, this is just another complication."
The online masses have been a relief to parishioners who are missing the sense of community since coronavirus lockdown measures brought most church services to an end.
The community has now banded together to raise money for Fr Pastore, in the hopes that he can carry on uploading his masses to social media for people who are feeling lonely in lockdown.
A post on the GoFundMe page says: "Father Andrew is our amazing priest at St Vincent's RC Church, Newbrook Road, Bolton.
"He used this camera to record mass for his parishioners during this difficult time to give them hope and to do daily prayers.
"Since church has closed to keep in contact with the local community some whom have no family he set up live mass on Facebook and YouTube.
"Not only is he an amazing priest who makes so much effort with everyone he has such a good heart.
"He’s been praying for all of us to be safe and well so let's give a little back no matter how much so he can buy a replacement."
So far, the fund has over £300 since it was set up on Tuesday.
To donate, go to the GoFundMe page for the camera.
