The Big Push - Crowdfunding Campaign

Dear all

We are in a position now where we urgently need to raise at least £5,000 before this winter. This will be for the internal works on the buildings, including new flooring, skirting boards, plastering etc.

This is the current state of play with regards to our finances:

We currently have £1,798 in the bank, with a further £1,000 ring fenced to cordon off the entire site with suitable fencing.

Approximately £2,100 is required to renew our public liability insurance, which runs out this June 30th. Our bank reserves will cover the majority of this.

I have received the unfortunate news that it is unlikely that the second wave of Community Infrastructure Levy applications will open this summer, meaning that this potential source of funding is closed off until at least the winter.

We are boosted by the fact that we are supported by the Railway Heritage Trust, who have kindly committed 40% towards the current roofing and canopy works.

However, we are going to need a Herculean effort to ensure we have the funds to get on with the internal work once the roofing and canopy are in place. We simply do not have the funds right now to be able to do this.

Given the unpredictably of the station as a result of its condition, further unexpected costs may be incurred as we need to make sure the buildings are 100% ready to support a tea room function.

A water and electricity supply will cost around £10,000 total by my estimates and this will not be possible with crowdfunding. I will work as hard as ever to apply for the appropriate grants. This particular work is not eligible for a Railway Heritage Grant.

Where do we go from here?

We’re on the right path, but we are going to need as many people as possible to chip in.

We simply need to get the word out far and wide, which is why I am announcing a low budget but effective marketing campaign, consisting of flyers and posters at high-traffic sites and emails and telephone calls to businesses to request sponsorship.

This is a team effort and I cannot do all of this by myself. Therefore if you are interested in helping to canvass and help source sponsors for our project, plus contact me at:

Email: info@middletontowers.org.uk

Let’s save our station.

Thank you.