A fund-raising drive was initiated over the weekend to raise money to renovate the Christ the King monument in Karachi.

A committee from St Patrick’s Cathedral organized more than 30 stalls at a fund-raising fair at the cathedral compound that saw more than 6,000 people contribute nearly US$7,000 in donations.

“We need 10 million rupees (about US$115,000) to save the ancient cultural heritage of the Church, which has become weak,” said Father Edward Joseph, an organizer of the funding drive.

“Many tiles have broken and cracks have appeared, while two [of the monument’s] pillars fell last month. We have now prohibited large groups from visiting the site.”

He added that the fund-raising campaign will include the sending of letters to parishioners at home and abroad seeking additional donations. Other events are to include a concert and sporting events.

Jesuit Father Vincent Gimenz oversaw completion in 1935 of the construction of the monument, which serves as a memorial to the Jesuit Mission in the southern Sindh province beginning in 1858.

The monument sustained minor structural damage during a lightning strike 40 years ago.