The Canterbury Gift, the charity that supports conservation, music, education and craftsmanship at Canterbury Cathedral has now reached £11.5m. The news was announced by the Dean of Canterbury Cathedral, The Very Reverend Dr Robert Willis, at services and concerts in the Cathedral over the weekend.

The Dean said: “We are enormously grateful to all our friends and supporters who have supported the Cathedral during 2010. We have raised more than £1.5m since the beginning of April which is wonderful news and a marvellous Christmas present for everyone who cares about Canterbury Cathedral”

Matthew Butler, Chief Executive of The Canterbury Gift said: “The money we have raised during 2010 will enable our major programme of work to proceed during 2011. Our craftsmen and women will be working on the north side of the Corona at the East End of the Cathedral, on the Great South Window, and on the conservation some of our irreplaceable twelfth century stained glass”

He continued: “However, Canterbury Cathedral still needs many millions of pounds and every pound that is given is important. We receive no help from Government, local authorities, or the Church of England towards the cost of the vital conservation work”

To find out more, or make a donation, call 01227 865346