EMBARGOED UNTIL 18.00, WEDNESDAY 16 JUNE 2010

MORE THAN TEN MILLION POUNDS
RAISED FOR CANTERBURY CATHEDRAL

His Grace Dr Rowan Williams, Archbishop of Canterbury, told a reception held in support of Canterbury Cathedral at Lambeth Palace on Wednesday evening that The Canterbury Gift has now raised £10.4m towards conservation and development work at the Cathedral. He also welcomed members of a new Development Campaign Committee, who will seek to raise funds nationally and internationally for Canterbury.

Dr Williams said: “Canterbury is first and foremost a wonderful witness to God, exerting a powerful influence on all who enter its doors. But it is also a place of education and learning, of craftsmanship and heritage, of music and culture, of welcome and friendship, and of so much more. Countless generations have played their part in creating and preserving this magnificent building, a God-given gift to the world.

“I am delighted that the fund-raising campaign of The Canterbury Gift has now raised more than £10 million and, through the new Development Campaign Committee, is extending its efforts nationally and internationally”.

The members of the new Committee are:
Richard Oldfield, Chairman, of Oldfield Partners LLP
John Booth, ICAP plc
Sir William Castell LVO, Chairman, The Wellcome Trust
Viscount De L’Isle MBE, Chairman, Canterbury Cathedral Trustees
Guy Elliott, Chief Finance Officer, Rio Tinto plc
Michael Gordon, CIO Equity, BNP Paribas Asset Management
The Hon. Lady Keswick
James Leigh-Pemberton, Chief Executive Officer, Credit Suisse UK
James Loudon, Chairman, Caledonia Investments plc
Dr Lisbet Rausing
The Very Revd Dr Robert Willis, Dean of Canterbury
Susan Wood
Sir Robert Worcester KBE

A major programme of necessary conservation and development at Canterbury Cathedral will take at least a further ten years to complete. Current projects include work on the South East Transept containing the twelfth century oculus window; the conservation of the Corona at the East End of the Cathedral; and urgent repairs to the Great South Window, the largest in the Cathedral, where a fall of stone has led to the closure of the Transept to visitors since last July.

Campaign Chairman Richard Oldfield said: “We are completely indebted to all those people who continue to give so generously. Canterbury Cathedral receives no financial help towards conservation of the Cathedral from either Government or The Church of England and so support from individuals, Trusts and Foundations is absolutely vital. Passing the £10m mark is very encouraging for everyone – although we still have much further to go!”

The Canterbury Gift is a charity that supports conservation, education, music and craftsmanship at Canterbury Cathedral. To find our more, or make a gift, call 01227 865346 or visit www.thecanterburygift.com

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For further information please contact Matthew Butler on 01227-865348 or 07771-833188 (Mobile) or Christopher Robinson on 01227-865282 or 07759 215537 (Mobile)