British cathedral cttee donates $200,000 for Chch

Committee members at Britain's Canterbury Cathedral have donated more than $200,000 towards the cost of rebuilding ChristChurch Cathedral following February's 6.3 earthquake.

ChristChurch Cathedral dean John Beck announced today he had received a Stg110,300 ($NZ227,000) donation and a letter of support from Canterbury Cathedral, Prince William had given him when he visited in March.

Canterbury Cathedral Appeal chairman Richard Oldfield said in the letter it was a personal donation from committee members in Britain.

"In the midst of our own large appeal for conservation we want to make a contribution to the vital rebuilding of Christchurch Cathedral, and send this donation with our sympathy and best wishes," Mr Oldield wrote.

The dean and chapter of Canterbury also donated a further Stg5000 ($NZ10,300) towards restoring the cathedral.

The spire and several parts of the cathedral's roof collapsed during the earthquake severely damaging the building.

It was initially believed up to 22 people had been trapped inside, but rescuers found no bodies.

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