Cathedral Launches Special Lego Raffle to Support Historic Window Restoration

The Cathedral of St John the Baptist in Norwich is inviting supporters to take part in a special raffle offering the chance to win one of two brand-new Lego Notre-Dame de Paris sets, while helping to preserve the Cathedral’s historic stained-glass windows.

The fundraising initiative was inspired by the generosity and faith of Ross Mason, who donated the sought-after sets to support the Cathedral’s window restoration fund.

Sarah Miller, Marketing Assistant, of the Cathedral of St John the Baptist, said:

“We were deeply moved by Ross’s story and the faith that inspired his generosity. His desire to help preserve the Cathedral’s stained-glass windows reflects the impact these beautiful works of art can have on people’s lives and faith journeys. We are incredibly grateful to Ross and Jenny for their kindness and hope that this raffle will help us continue the vital work of restoring these historic windows for future generations.”

Thanks to the generosity of parishioners, visitors and supporters, the Cathedral has already raised approximately £80,000 towards its stained-glass window restoration project. However, the scale of the work remains significant. So far, two windows are currently undergoing restoration, while many others continue to require extensive conservation and repair.

Ross and his wife, Jenny, first contacted the Cathedral at the end of 2025 after deciding to donate part of their treasured Lego collection.

Ross lives with long term health conditions that have brought significant challenges and periods of profound loneliness. During one of the lowest points in his life, he turned to prayer, asking God for guidance.

That prayer marked a turning point. Ross says that through God’s guidance he found renewed clarity, faith and trust. Reflecting on his extensive Lego collection, he began to feel what he describes as “guilt for having more than I need whilst others had nothing.”

After much reflection, Ross donated a large number of pre-loved Lego sets to his local food bank. The sets were distributed to children and families during the Christmas period, bringing joy to many. The remaining sets were sold at a local Lego event, raising £1,000 for charitable causes.

As Cathedral staff learned more about Ross’s faith journey and his relationship with the Catholic Church, it became clear that there was an opportunity to help him fulfil what he felt God was calling him to do.

Ross has a particular love for stained-glass windows, which have played an important role in his spiritual journey. He explains that stained-glass windows “nourish the soul and deepen faith. For me, they were the seed that my faith grew from.” He also believes they are “powerful enough to inspire even the most hardened of hearts.”

Among Ross’s collection were two brand-new Lego Notre-Dame de Paris sets, purchased following the devastating fire at Notre-Dame Cathedral in 2019. Ross bought one set for himself and one for his wife, Jenny.

Recalling the impact the fire had on him, Ross said: “Seeing her burn awakened something in me. As awful as it was to witness, I am grateful for the message she gave me – that we nearly lost her, but she still stands, possibly loved even more now than before.”

Following discussions with the Cathedral, a plan was developed to raffle both Notre-Dame sets, with all proceeds supporting the Cathedral’s stained-glass window restoration fund.

Ross believes that “God was guiding me to take an action that would make a difference … to play a small role in the preservation of such an important part of the Cathedral.”

He hopes the raffle will raise valuable funds to help safeguard the Cathedral’s historic windows for future generations, ensuring that they continue to inspire faith and wonder in all who see them. As Ross explains, he hopes the windows will continue to “inspire and grow faith in others.”

Looking to the future, Ross hopes that his health will improve sufficiently for him to be confirmed into the Catholic Church and to continue deepening his faith. He also wishes to encourage others, saying: “God speaks to us all, and no matter our situation, we can all do something to help others.”

How to Enter

Supporters can enter the raffle for the chance to win one of two brand-new Lego Notre-Dame de Paris sets, each worth approximately £200.

All proceeds will be donated to the Cathedral of St John the Baptist’s window restoration fund, helping to provide essential repairs and conservation work that will preserve the windows for future generations.

The raffle will be drawn at 2:30pm on Saturday 11 July at the Cathedral Summer Fete.

Tickets cost £1 each or £5 per book.

For details on how to enter, visit www.sjbcathedral.org.uk/news-announcements/

Pictured: Fr Martin, Dean of the Cathedral, and Charley Purves, Cathedral Manager