Early boost to Black Country Living Museum fundraising campaign
The Black Country Living Museum has launched a fundraising campaign to raise the final £1.9million needed for its major Forging Ahead project.
And it has got off to a bright start thanks to the generosity of a charitable Midlands-based foundation.
Patrick Foundation of Kings Norton has donated £100,000 and five vintage cars to the Dudley-based attraction, and will pledge a further £30,000 per year over the next decade.
Forging Ahead is phase one of a 40-year master plan to create a world class heritage attraction in the heart of the Black Country.
The £21.7m project will include the creation of a 1940s to 60s village, focusing on a new era of the Black Country.
Andrew Lovett, Museum Director said: “We are absolutely thrilled to receive such a generous donation from The Patrick Foundation towards our exciting project for the Museum, its visitors and the wider community. I personally can’t wait to see the vintage vehicles help bring our new 1940s – 60s town to life.”
Alexander Patrick CBE of the Patrick Trust will be visiting the museum on Friday (05) to finalise the deal.
Mr Lovett will be driving one of the vintage cars from the its current location in King’s Norton to the museum.
The donated money will support the museum and maintenance of the museum's vehicle collection.
In recognition of the trust's donation, the museum will name the lower ground floor of a new visitor centre ‘The Patrick Gallery’.
Trustee, Alexander Patrick CBE DL, was awarded a CBE in 2012 recognising his support for charities, and has previously supported several of the museum’s past projects, including the much loved access vehicle ‘Doris’.
Mr Patrick said: “I have had a long association with Black Country Living Museum and am delighted that, after discussions with the Museum some years ago, The Patrick Foundation is now forming a long term relationship in recognition of the Museum’s outstanding contribution to the Black Country’s heritage.
"My Grandfather, Albert M Patrick, started his career with Britannic Assurance in 1898 as assistant district manager at their Wolverhampton offices thus providing a further strong and 120 year connection with the region.”
To find out how to support the Forging Ahead project, visit bclm.com/forgingahead.
