It's pretty well known now that members of the Campaign have been investigating the possibility of setting up a Charitable Trust to bid for running the Park. However at the moment having looked at the figures we predict that even running the Park in a cheaper way than SCDC's current terms would impose (see our report on the workshop for more on this) we would still have a shortage of income over expenditure of £50,000 a year. And that's even after allowing for a reasonable income from some of you as members of the Trust in the form of an annual membership fee.

So that means we would have to be able to raise £1,000 a week. Week in, week out, year after year. We don't think that's possible. The alternative is a "dowry" from SCDC big enough for us to be able to live off the income without reducing the capital. To get an income of £50,000 a year we would need about £1,500,000 in the bank. We understand that SCDC aren't able to offer anything like that amount.

Those of you who've come to us with fund raising ideas (and thanks to those of you who have) will now understand why we've been reluctant to pursue any of them to date as they would simply be scratching the surface.

It's pretty much impossible to find funding bodies willing to fund "revenue" costs. If you've got a capital project, like an extension to the Visitor Centre or a trim trail or some of the other ideas we and others have come up with then it's (relatively) easy to get funding for that, but not ongoing funding.

So we're stuck at the moment. Unless you know someone with money to spare. And as I think you'll now understand we do mean someone with a lot of money to spare. If you do then please get in touch.

We're also interested in other ideas you may have for providing us with a regular ongoing income. But they've really got to be able to provide a substantial income.

Written: 01/04/07

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