Upton Country Park’s Discovery Project needs to raise a further £30,000 through generous public and corporate donations to support their National Lottery Heritage Fund bid this autumn.
The Discovery Project is a plan to restore the Country Park’s historical features, re-instate the landscapes that have been lost over time and enhance their grounds. There will also be a new welcome centre, interactive displays for visitors to enjoy and offer the chance for the local community to develop new skills and knowledge by having better access to training and education.
The National Lottery Heritage Fund is planning to fund the Country Park around £1.9 million this autumn but that can only happen if the Country Park can have a match funding of £325,000 in place.
The Country Park has already had funding from the Friends of Upton Country Park and the BCP Council
Upton Country Park have already received a generous donation of £125,000 from the Friends of Upton Country Park and a further £170,000 has been secured through the BCP Council. The remaining £30,000 is to be raised through personal donations and corporate sponsorship.
The Discovery Project was set up in March 2017 with the aim of creating an accessible and sustainable heritage attraction for the local community to relax, enjoy and learn in.
The project has been through Stage 1 of the application process where the Country Park was awarded £185,000 funding by the Heritage Fund, allowing them to develop a more detailed Stage 2 application. The £30,000 they are needing will help make the Stage 2 application be granted.
The ways people can donate are:
- Donate £25 which will go towards the funding of the Discovery Project and you will receive a certificate of thanks and an Upton Country Park pin badge as a thank you.
- Buy a brick for £100 which will be installed within the Walled Garden borders and can be engraved with your message to mark a special occasion, or to remember someone special. All profits will go towards the Discovery Project.
- Become a Park Patron for £250 to show your support for the Country Park and the work that the Discovery Project will do to improve the Estate. If you become a Park Patron you will receive a certificate of thanks, an acknowledgement within the new welcome centre for 10 years and recognition on our website and Facebook page, including a link to your own website for 1 year.
- Become a sponsor by sponsoring a bug hotel in the Welcome Centre or a new bird hide or a pair of binoculars.
The National Lottery Heritage Fund is the largest dedicated funder of heritage in the UK and distributes National Lottery grants of up to £5 million or more. They fund projects that sustain and transform the UK’s heritage. Applying for the grant is a two-stage process.
For more information about the Upton Country Park’s Discovery Project and how to donate visit their website.