New Zealand activist visited Armenia at his own cost to make sure the destroyed churches need restoration, News.am reports.

Geoffrey Rathbun is one of the restoration campaigners who urge to restore the Anglican Christchurch Cathedral, destroyed during the earthquake in 2011.

Rathbun funded his own trip to Armenia’s city of Gyumri, where he could see by his own eyes the church wrecked over 27 years ago. The restoration of the church is almost complete, 3news.co.nz reports.

“The people of that city had a very strong connection with that cathedral like we do. The Church wanted to restore it and they had a lack of money, but they had the determination to get the money and follow through to build it,” Mr Rathbun says.

Mr Rathbun is now back from Armenia with letters from the city’s bishop and mayor supporting the restoration of the cathedral. The campaigner is planning to present them to Christchurch Mayor and church officials.