Six months into our special 950th anniversary appeal, the Chichester Cathedral Restoration and Development Trust is delighted to share that £825,000 has been donated towards our goal of raising an additional £950,000 within the year.
Thanks to the extraordinary generosity of four anonymous donors, every pound given during this anniversary year (ending March 2026) is being matched pound for pound. That means there has never been a better moment to give – your £10 becomes £20, your £100 becomes £200, and UK taxpayers can increase their gift by a further 25% through Gift Aid.
Alongside this progress, we are delighted to announce that the Chichester Cathedral Friends have made a five-year commitment to donate £50,000 annually in support of the Cathedral’s music. This extraordinary pledge provides a strong foundation for the future and demonstrates the depth of local support for this treasured tradition.
The Very Reverend Dr Edward Dowler, Dean of Chichester, said:
“The Cathedral’s musical life is a source of inspiration, learning, and joy for so many people – not only in our diocese and city, but far beyond. We are so grateful for the generosity that has been shown so far by many individuals and organisations. With match-funding still available, we now have a once-in-a-generation opportunity to secure this precious inheritance for the future. I warmly invite everyone who values our Cathedral and its music to join us in this endeavour.”
With £4.54 million secured for the Chichester Cathedral Platinum Endowment Trust for Music since our launch in February 2024, we are now even closer to reaching our initial £5 million target by March 2026. This permanent fund will generate annual income to support chorister scholarships, the choir, organ scholars and our programme of free lunchtime concerts, ensuring that music remains at the heart of Cathedral life for generations to come.
With six months left, your gift can still go twice as far – and help us reach the finish line!
Chichester Cathedral Restoration & Development Trust CIO
Registered Charity No. 1156729
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