A Helping Hand

When we think about grants, we often think about big building projects, such as repairing the roof or the South West Tower. But getting a helping hand with some of our day-to-day expenditure or with a special event can also be extremely valuable.

That’s why I am delighted to tell you that The National Lottery Community Fund has awarded £10,000 to help make our Queen’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations really special. A programme of events for the whole family is being planned. What a wonderful chance to create a carnival atmosphere at the cathedral, right at the heart of Cornwall’s festivities!

Of course, not every day can be a holiday, and grants that help to meet our everyday costs are just as important but quite hard to come by. One organisation that we have relied on year after year is Allchurches Trust. It generously provides an annual grant to dioceses and cathedrals across the UK and Ireland, and we have received £25,000 in 2021-22. This money has been vital in helping us with day-to-day expenses during the period that our income has been badly hit by the Coronavirus pandemic. We are extremely grateful to the Trust for all their support: earlier this year they also gave £11,000 to the St Mary’s Aisle appeal. Search online for Just Giving St Mary’s Aisle to keep in touch with how it is progressing.

Grant funding is not always available and is usually tied to a specific time-limited project, so we have to be able to cover our core costs in other ways. Overall, the cathedral depends on individual giving and earnings from our shop, restaurant, and events to be able to carry on and open free every day, for everybody. That is why we are so grateful to every single person who supports the cathedral, in whatever way - volunteering; donating; attending a service; enjoying lunch in our Chapter House; leaving a gift in their will, or joining the Friends, to name but a few. It is all very much appreciated.

Thank you!

Judith Field
Fundraising Lead