Gloucester Cathedral ‘Beacon of Hope’ Appeal Reaches £1m Target

Gloucester Cathedral ‘Beacon of Hope’ Appeal Reaches £1m Target

The Cathedral has met its fundraising campaign target in time for Christmas

Having been hit hard by the coronavirus crisis, the Cathedral was forecast to lose up to £1.3 million by the end of 2021 in lost visitor and events income. Launched in June, the ‘Beacon of Hope’ Appeal aimed to raise £1 million by 25 December to ensure the Cathedral continues to remain open and fully operational during the pandemic.

The Very Reverend Stephen Lake, Dean of Gloucester said:

“The ‘Beacon of Hope’ Appeal came from people describing the sight of the Cathedral tower in lockdown being like a Beacon of Hope, particularly when it was lit blue in support of the NHS and key workers.

The £1million needed was to plug the gap in our working finances caused by the pandemic, so that your Cathedral could remain open and available to all at this time of most pressing need. Thanks to the extraordinary response from across Gloucestershire and beyond, we have reached that target. The funds donated have enabled us to continue serving the city, county and diocese through activities such as daily worship (in person or online), supporting the most vulnerable through our Breakfast Club and hosting inspiring cultural events like Luke Jerram’s ‘Gaia’. We will continue to do everything we can to support the recovery effort in 2021.

I am particularly grateful to Lord Sam Vestey for leading this campaign. Thank you to everyone who has supported the appeal, and may God bless us all this Christmas.”

ENDS

For further information please contact:

Aileen Ravey
Development Officer
01452 508219
aileen.ravey@gloucestercathedral.org.uk

Notes for Editors

About the ‘Beacon of Hope’ Appeal

The appeal aimed to raise £1,000,000 to ensure the Cathedral can remain open and is able to play a key role at the heart of the city and county recovery from the coronavirus pandemic. Funding will be used to achieve the following goals:

• Programme collaborative cultural activities to help inspire local communities, promote wellbeing and stimulate economic growth.
• Ensure the Cathedral can play an important role in meeting the spiritual and social needs of our communities by being at the heart of the recovery for the city, county and diocese.
• Safeguard our heritage, continue to care for our fabric and adapt so music and worship can still reach people’s homes.
• Maintain and develop our training, education and outreach provisions and support the most vulnerable members of our community.
• Deliver a digital strategy which enhances all of the above.