Notre Dame fire inspires immediate fundraising effort

Funds to repair Paris’s Notre Dame cathedral have already stared pouring in, hours after the fire that ravaged the roof and spire took hold. While French President Emmanuel Macron has said that a global fundraising campaign will be launched to rebuild the historic 850-year-old building, over €300million has already been pledged or donated. Billionaire François-Henri Pinault, and his family quickly pledged €100m. Pinault is CEO and Chairman of Kering, which owns a number of luxury brands including Alexander McQueen and Gucci. Another French billionaire, Bernard Arnault, owner of LVMH Group, which includes Louis Vuitton and Fendi, has pledged €200m.   https://twitter.com/EmmanuelMacron/status/1117914466560036866   The New York-based French Heritage Society also quickly launched a Notre-Dame Fire Restoration Fund. Elizabeth Stribling, Chair of the French Heritage Society said: "Notre Dame is more than a religious symbol, it speaks of human achievements and great art. Although it's located in France, it is part of great world art that informs our culture and heritage. We must all spring to action."  The Friends of Notre-Dame de Paris site has a donation page and several appeals have been set up by individuals on GoFundMe and JustGiving. The fire was brought under control early on Tuesday morning and has now been declared extinguished. While the spire and much of the roof have been destroyed, the main structure, including the two bell towers and the famous rose window, are thought to have been saved.  

from UK Fundraising http://bit.ly/2KGnwCP