School children invited to adopt a gargoyle

The Diocese of Lichfield is inviting school children to adopt a gargoyle in a new fundraising and education initiative.

The ‘Adopt a Gargoyle’ scheme has been launched to raise funds towards Lichfield Cathedral’s East End Appeal.

It hopes that the scheme will not only get the children involved in raising funds for the cathedral, but also in creative writing, history and art projects.

The scheme includes two competitions, one asking pupils to name the cathedral’s newly carved gargoyles, and another asking them to write a story or poem about a gargoyle adventure.

The initiative has been tailored to meet the needs of the curriculum and is open to all schools within the 427 parishes of the Lichfield Diocese.

The cathedral has put together an education pack with fundraising ideas like non-uniform days and paper mosaics in the hope that local schools will raise £1 per child.

The scheme is being headed up by the cathedral’s director of fundraising, Patricia Collins.

She said: “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.”

The East End Appeal has so far raised nearly £3 million towards a major programme of essential repairs to stonework and the conservation of the cathedral’s unique 16th century painted glass.

It is hoped that the Adopt a Gargoyle scheme will help bring in the final £700,000 needed to complete the restoration project.

Pupils and teachers can get their school involved by calling 01543 306106 for an educational pack.