The Chichester Ship Canal Trust, the charity behind the canal, is celebrating after reaching the halfway point of its major fundraising campaign.
Launched in the autumn, the campaign aims to raise £200,000 to restore the canal banks, to keep the canal safe and open for everyone.
Two recent significant grant awards have really boosted the fundraising campaign.
The first is from Swire Charitable Trust, who awarded the Trust a £40,000 grant. The Swire Trust environment programme funds charities that inspire and motivate individuals and communities to enhance their natural and built environment.
With the restored canal banks enhancing both the unique habitat and the almost 200 year old heritage, this application was a natural fit for
their programme.
Catherine Cannon, Trustee at the Canal Trust, said, ‘We are thrilled at the significant award from Swire Charitable Trust. A grant of this scale signifies that we are a charity really worth supporting, and it unlocks further grant opportunities for us’.
The Swire Trust award was closely followed by the news that Chichester District Council has allocated the Trust £10,000 from their Improving Local Places and Spaces grant funding scheme.
This funds improvements to publicly owned space or built assets to enhance the wellbeing of local residents or the habitats of the district’s wildlife.
Catherine continued, ‘We’re so pleased to have the support of the District Council. We know how important the canal is to many residents across the District, in particular during the ongoing restrictions, and their support recognises this. With the planned Year of Culture in 2022, we’re
looking forward to working with the District Council and partners to recognise the importance of the canal as a cultural, heritage and tourist asset’.
Supporters may like to contribute to the ongoing campaign at here
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