Following the latest Government statement regarding lockdown restrictions easing, the National Emergency Services Museum believes it will remain closed until “July at the very earliest”.
This presents the institution with an ever-nearing financial cliff edge with “funds in the bank to survive until mid-June”.
If further backing isn’t found, a statement says, “our wonderful museum and its collection could be lost”.
A JustGiving page has now been set up to raise urgent funds through public donations, with the small organisation unable to migrate its gift shop online in the matter of weeks since the crisis began. 50% of its £10,000 target has been met at the time of publishing.
“As a self-funded independent charity, we rely on donations, entrance fees, funds raised by our gift shop and coffee shop, and the events we host,” explains Matthew Wakefield, chief executive and trustee of the Museum.
When the doors were forced shut by the Covid-19 outbreak, he adds that “100% of our income stopped immediately”.
The closure could not have come at a worse time for the site, coinciding as it did with its annual family fun day in the city centre – the Museum’s largest fundraising drive each year.
