# Building support for Durham Cathedral with LEGO

- Link: https://fundraising.co.uk/2015/06/04/building-support-for-durham-cathedral-with-lego/
- Published: 2015-06-04T10:26:02+01:00
- Author: Howard Lake

**July 2013 saw the beginning of an ambitious fundraising campaign to recreate Durham
Cathedral in LEGO bricks. This exciting venture is raising funds for Open Treasure,
a project which is transforming public access to some of the Cathedral’s most spectacular
spaces and to the breath-taking collections it has acquired over the centuries.**

When complete, the 300,000 brick model will be as accurate a scale representation
of the Cathedral as possible, spanning 3.84 metres in length, 1.53 metres wide and
1.7 metres in height. **For every £1 donated one LEGO brick is added** to the model
Cathedral, and the project is expected to raise approximately £300,000 for the Cathedral’s
[Open Treasure](http://www.durhamcathedral.co.uk/open-treasure) appeal.

![Durham Cathedral in LEGO](https://www.fundraising.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/
05/lego-durham-cathedral-front.jpg)

Since the first brick was laid by television presenter and historian Jonathan Foyle
on 11 July 2013 the model has grown rapidly and now comprises over 150,000 bricks.
The model continues to inspire visitors of all ages and nationalities and news of
the LEGO build has gone global.

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A world map records the diverse nationalities of the Cathedral’s visitors, with 
bricks being donated by people from all over the world including places such as 
the Cook Islands, Greenland, Costa Rica and Madagascar.

## Business sponsorship

![LEGO workers in Durham Cathedral made from LEGO](https://www.fundraising.co.uk/
wp-content/uploads/2015/05/lego-durham-cathedral-workmen.jpg)

LEGO worker figures in Durham Cathedral made from LEGO

Closer to home, Durham Cathedral in LEGO has generated much interest from local 
businesses. Hargreaves is a principal sponsor, generously supporting the project
with a donation of £5,000. Durham Markets, Sainsbury’s Durham, Barclays Durham and
Durham Business Group have also pledged money towards the project, whilst encouraging
members of the public to do the same.

Durham Cathedral in LEGO has also attracted the support of schools and community
groups, including local primary schools from Ludworth, Belmont and Kirk Merrington
along with churches in Barnard Castle and Spennymoor. Securing community involvement
is not only crucial to the success of the LEGO build, but also reflects the Cathedral’s
values.

## Free entry

 

At the heart of Open Treasure lies the determination to maintain free entry to [Durham Cathedral](http://www.durhamcathedral.co.uk),
ensuring the Cathedral remains a focal point of the local community and a place 
of welcome, worship and hospitality for all. As part of the Open Treasure public
appeal, Durham Cathedral in LEGO will help the Cathedral to achieve this fundamental
aim.

As a fundraising project, Durham Cathedral in LEGO is creative, innovative and complex.
This is the first time that members of the public have built a large-scale model
and a team of 60 LEGO volunteers has been amassed to help visitors place their bricks,
ensuring the LEGO table can remain open seven days a week.

![Durham Cathedral in LEGO](https://www.fundraising.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/
05/lego-durham-cathedral-altar.jpg)

Yet the complexities of the project are outweighed by the extraordinary benefits
of such a dynamic and interactive fundraising appeal. The tangible nature of LEGO
undoubtedly encourages visitors to donate, with visitors returning again and again
to add more bricks, and the impact of their donation is instantly recognised as 
their bricks are added to the model. The fact that visitors personally place their
own bricks on the model increases levels of engagement, again establishing a palpable
connection between the visitor and the Cathedral’s fundraising efforts.

![Durham Cathedral in LEGO](https://www.fundraising.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/
05/lego-durham-cathedral-crypt.jpg)

## Limited edition spin-off sold out in three days

Durham Cathedral in LEGO has also inspired spin-off fundraising ventures and product-
development, including Durham Cathedral in LEGO postcards and building block mugs.
A limited edition collection of mini Durham Cathedral in LEGO models has also been
produced to complement the fundraising campaign.

The mini models sold out in just three days and are now collectors’ items, demonstrating
the widespread appeal of LEGO and the fervour created by the Cathedral’s association
with this international brand.

![Durham Cathedral in LEGO](https://www.fundraising.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/
05/lego-durham-cathedral-altar.jpg)

Whilst the project is still on-going, it cannot be denied that Durham Cathedral 
in LEGO has been a resounding success. Initial reservations about the risks of undertaking
such a complex and potentially time-consuming project have been outweighed by positive
PR and word-of-mouth communications, with news of Durham Cathedral in LEGO being
shared across the globe via Facebook and Twitter.

The fact that Durham Cathedral in LEGO has inspired similar projects at [Chester Cathedral](http://www.chestercathedral.com/chester-cathedral-in-lego.html),
amongst others, demonstrates the legacy and enduring significance of this innovative
fundraising campaign.

## Timelapse video of the project

Here is a timelapse video of the build during year one (11 July 2013 – 11 July 2014).

You can [donate online to the Durham Cathedral in LEGO project](http://www.durhamcathedral.co.uk/donate).

The campaign has its own hashtag **#DurhamCathedralLEGOBuild**, and there is a dedicated
Facebook page for [Durham Cathedral in LEGO](http://www.facebook.com/durhamcathedralLEGObuild).

## The inspiration

![Durham Cathedral](https://www.fundraising.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/durham-
cathedral.jpg)

Durham Cathedral, not the LEGO version

 

 ⌊Durham Cathedral⌉ ⌊Durham Cathedral⌉

 

_**Catherine Hodgson** is Marketing Officer at [Durham Cathedral](http://www.durhamcathedral.co.uk)._