Help wanted to install sea of origami angels in cathedral

Thousands of origami angels have been created by people during the lockdown as part of the cathedral’s ‘A Wing and a Prayer’ fundraising project.

This week, the cathedral will be open for volunteers to install the angels on a net that will be hung across the top of the nave for an exhibition that will be open from August 1 to September 29, the feast of St Michael and All Angels.

The project, which has so far raised thousands of pounds for both the cathedral and the Yorkshire Air Ambulance, offered an opportunity for people to pray for their loved ones and for key workers by sending prayers online through the cathedral website to be said by clergy during online services.

The second phase of the project was the creation of thousands of ‘angels’ to reflect the prayers offered.

Within four weeks, about 10,000 origami angels had been created for the installation, which aims to inspire quiet reflection and contemplation during these challenging times.

The Dean of Ripon, the Very Rev John Dobson, said the final piece will be “a spectacular arrangement of beauty for all, and an expression of praise for the faithful”.