Schools across the Diocese of Lichfield will be adopting gargoyles as part of a fundraising drive.
The money raised will go towards Lichfield Cathedral’s East End Appeal, but the project will also allow youngsters to take part in creative writing, history and art initiatives.
The scheme, headed up by director of fundraising Patricia Collins and Sue Blackmore, the Lichfield Diocese schools’ advisor, has been tailored to meet the needs of the curriculum and is open to all schools within the 427 parishes of the Lichfield Diocese.
Patricia explained: “We wanted to create a fresh and unique challenge for students throughout the Diocese and at the same time help young people engage with the history, spirituality and heritage of Lichfield Cathedral, as they help protect it for future generations.
“Schools are being asked to support the appeal by raising £1 per child and fundraising ideas such as non-uniform days and paper mosaics will be provided in the Education Pack.
“The project will enable students to let their imaginations run, as they contemplate how gargoyles and grotesques spend their time at Lichfield Cathedral. They can give a recently carved gargoyle a new name, write a story, draw a cartoon strip or pen a dramatic poem about a gargoyle adventure.
“Whatever involvement a school has with this project, we hope that they will enjoy learning more about Lichfield Cathedral and its role as the symbolic centre and mother church of the Church of England Diocese of Lichfield.”
The Adopt a Gargoyle campaign is running alongside the Mosaic Appeal which is appealing to all parishes to light up a window of the Lady Chapel online.
Both initiatives come on the back of the £3million already raised for Lichfield Cathedral’s East End Appeal. But despite that figure, more money needs to be raised to complete the restoration project.
“We are now asking for support from the community through parishes and schools to make a contribution towards the £700,000 still to raise,” said Patricia. “Each £1 will be valued and will help achieve our target.
“Visitors are welcome to come to the Cathedral, view the work completed so far and spot the gargoyles and grotesques on the outside walls.”
