The head of the Gordon Highlanders Museum in Aberdeen has praised the public for their “terrific generosity” in helping save the popular visitor attraction.
Chief executive Bryan Snelling yesterday revealed an appeal set up 12 months ago to raise £100,000 a year for the museum has already amassed more than £230,000.
This figure includes two recent anonymous donations of £20,000, which have helped the facility approach its three-year total of £300,000.
There had been fears that the museum might have to close after it emerged last year that its income had fallen by nearly 60% and profits cut by 80%, largely because of the oil and gas downturn.
But Mr Snelling told the Press and Journal – which donated £10,000 to the appeal – that he and the staff and volunteers who work at the site had been overwhelmed by the response from the public and private sectors.
He said: “I’m delighted so many people have taken us to their hearts and it has shown us the depth of affection which there is, both for the Gordon Highlanders and the museum.
“We have had donations of all sizes, whether it’s folk pledging £10 a month, or companies getting involved, or individuals giving us support behind the scenes.
“The generosity shown so far has been terrific and heartwarming and these two £20,000 donations have helped us take significant strides forward.
“We know there is still work to do and we need to keep pushing on. But I want to thank everybody who has backed the campaign.”
Mr Snelling confirmed that a number of fundraising events have been arranged in the months ahead, including a commemorative dinner at the Marcliffe Hotel on November 10.
And he revealed details of progress on the large-scale Trench project, which is being established at the museum on Viewfield Road.
He added: “We have raised £50,000 for that – which is entirely separate from the museum appeal – and we have planning permission for the venture to recreate a First World War trench.
“It will be a new visitor attraction and I am sure it will fascinate many people once the building work has been completed.
“We are hoping it will be open to the public by November or certainly by the end of the year.
“There are also plans to commemorate the centenary of the end of the First World War.”
