Lego Model to Be Used to Raise Funds for Chiswick House |
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Will be constructed brick by brick as donations are made Chiswick House needs funds to cover current shortfall
Chiswick House Friends have launched a new fundraising campaign to help cover the financial shortfall the House and Gardens are experiencing at the moment. The income that normally comes from events and other activities at the park has dried up and the current position is described by the Friends as ‘desperate’. They have come up with the novel idea of asking supporters to help build a two metre-long Lego® brick model of Chiswick House. For every donation a brick will be added until the fund-raising target of £75,000 is reached.
They will post a daily video of its progress so that you can see what you have achieved. After lockdown the model will be displayed in the House café and completed by local schoolchildren. The campaign was launched with a video by Clare Balding, who is a regular user of the gardens, urging people to give their support.
As with many organisations, Chiswick House has taken a hard-financial hit by the pandemic. As a charitable organisation, they receive grants from the London Borough of Hounslow and English Heritage but this only covers 25% of the everyday running costs of the estate. The lost income is due to the cancellation of events and weddings has resulted in a shortfall of £500,000, even after many of the team have been furloughed and costs have been cut wherever possible. The model is part of a broader campaign by the trust to raise funds. The Trust has an objective of raising £120,000 by September to cover the running costs of the estate. You can also support Chiswick House by texting LOVE to 70450 to donate £5 or online to donate any amount. They are also asking you to share why you love Chiswick House and what it means to you by posting pictures and on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram including #welovechiswickhouse and tag @chiswick_house.
May 22, 2020 |