BUSINESSMAN Sir Tom Cowie has been paying for his youthful thoughtlessness at a Sunderland church.
Sir Tom donated more than £50,000 to St Mark's Church in Millfield for the restoration of the roof.
He began his business in Hylton Road, Millfield, selling second-hand motorcycles and now wants to give something back to the community.
He said: "It's a lot to do with guilt. I think it's partly to do with paying compensation for the many times I made a noise with my motorbikes while there was a service going on - even on a Sunday morning and during weddings and funerals."
Vicar of St Mark's, the Reverend Mary Judson said: "We are overwhelmed by Sir Tom's gift, which will enable us literally to keep a roof over our heads as we continue to seek ways of making the church a place of healing for our community."
Sir Tom was at St Mark's yesterday to see the work
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