THIS year will be a critical one for Canterbury Cathedral’s £50m global fund-raising campaign.

So far, since its launch in October, the campaign has raised £5.86 million towards its £50m target to repair corrosion caused by decades of weathering and pollution.

The campaign team had hoped that the Donate a £1 Day in December would raise £1m for the appeal. In the event, it raised £145,424.

But the campaign’s chief executive, David Innes, said he was not disappointed. He continued: “In real terms, it did not raise a huge amount and we did not get our £1m.

“But in media terms, it was hugely successful with some good coverage in newspapers and on radio and television.

“It did a huge amount for the profile of the campaign,” he added. “I am pleased we did it. Lessons were learned and it will be bigger and better when we run it again at the end of the year.”

The campaign team would be making a bid to the Heritage Lottery Fund later this year for several million pounds, Mr Innes revealed.

He added: “I am conscious that there are a huge number of demands on the Heritage Lottery Fund and we will have to compete against everyone else, but I am hopeful.”

The team will also be applying for English Heritage funding, although Mr Innes said he was less hopeful of winning a significant grant.

He said the amount of English Heritage Funding for cathedrals had shrunk dramatically. Last year, there was just £1m for the whole country, which has more than 40 cathedrals.

The newly-appointed community fund-raising manager Karen Gambrell is in place and is keen to hear from anyone who would like to help with fund-raising.

Meanwhile, Mr Innes will be taking the campaign to London and the City, asking the big financial institutions and individuals for donations.

Mr Innes said: “Every year is a crucial year but 2007 is the first year we will be going out to the whole of Kent.

“It is a critical year because if the Kent community responds positively and supports the campaign that will send a very powerful message to London, the City, and the international community. If the local community does not support the campaign, the converse is true.”

For more details, go to www.canterbury-cathedral.org/fundraising.