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Aug 2020

Last Updated: 04/08/2020

Ripon

Throng of 10,000 angels shines at Ripon Cathedral

by Tim Flanagan

| 03 Aug, 2020

The coronavirus lockdown opened up a fundraising idea that captured the imagination of parishioners and the public, resulting in more than £130,000 being raised to be shared between Ripon Cathedral and Yorkshire Air Ambulance.

Worshippers and visitors at Ripon Cathedral on Sunday, were greeted by a shining throng of origami angels.

The paper Seraphim and Cherubim, painstakingly made by an army of volunteers, are suspended in netting high above the nave and will remain in place throughout August and up until the feast of St Michael and All Angels on September 29.

Backlit by spotlights and sun shining through the ancient building's stained glass windows, the installation marks the final stage of the Wing and a Prayer appeal, which has already raised more than £130,000 in donations, to be shared between the cathedral and Yorkshire Air Ambulance.

While the cathedral was out of bounds for many weeks because of COVID-19, the project enabled people to pray for loved ones and key workers by sending prayers online via the cathedral website.

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The project, launched in May, has captured the imagination of the public, whose prayer requests have been read by the cathedral's priests - among them Canon Ailsa Newby.

Canon Newby told the Stray Ferret:

"This has been a wonderful combined effort that has brought a marvellous result."

The Dean of Ripon, the Very Rev John Dobson, said:

“This project is doing several positive things and responding to a real desire on the part of many people to make their prayers in or through Ripon Cathedral. The angel art installation is an expression of all of these, including memories of some who have died and gratitude for both healing and the exceptional service provided by so many in society."

He pointed out:

“There is no doubt that the financial support resulting from all the generous donations is very welcome for ourselves and for Yorkshire Air Ambulance; for both of us income has been hit drastically during the time of lockdown.

"Here at the cathedral our support base has been increasing across the region in recent years; this is helping to give us increased resilience in these challenging times and I am extremely grateful to all those who are coming forward to support us financially.”

Approximately 11,000 angels were made - 10,000 of them are suspended above the nave and another 1,000 are in place at other locations within the cathedral.

Thank you for your interest in this story

Throng of 10,000 angels shines at Ripon Cathedral

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