Appeal for funds

[Nick]

I am sure that most of you will have now read the News (http://www.joylandbooks.com/scenicrailway/news.htm#Tuesday,_30_October_2007) about the Save Dreamland Campaign's rescue of the vital parts of the UK's last circular water chute from Rhyl.

Unfortunately, the Campaign had to act quickly to save this ride and did not have time to organise a round of fund raising. Not only does the Campaign now have to pay for the contractor and trailer, we now have to transport the items to Thanet this week and potentially hire lifting equipment to unload it in Thanet.

We need financial help to enable us to complete these tasks and to pay invoices for the tasks already completed. The Dreamland Trust needs up to £2,000 to pay for the contractors, transport and plant.

If you are able to contribute anything, however small, please email Sarah Vickery on sarah@savedreamland.co.uk who will issue instructions. Please also alert coaster clubs and any other organisations that may be sympathetic to our rescue efforts. Everyone who donates will be acknowledged on a plaque on the rebuilt ride.

And can I take this opportunity to thank those of you who have already pledged money.

[porterm]

Just for the record, I did post a message to the European Coaster Club's e-mail list regarding this appeal the other day. To date, however, I do not recall seeing any responses to the item; rather strange I thought when I assumed the target audience here were real coaster fans, allegedly.

The other Sunday I also went on the above club's trip to Chessington World of Adventures when the Water Chute's financial backer problems were raised to dismantle the ride. I mentioned to many club members how I thought it would be a great idea, if as members, we could all possibly organise a "whip round" to at least attempt to raise some of the necessary £49 odd thousand then required at that point. To say the least, I sadly received some rather lukewarm responses, even from certain people I thought would have been warmer to the idea. Especially as this particular attraction would go the way of the dodo if someone didn't react quite sharpish.

I'm sure there are some coaster fans who are willing to put their hand in their pocket, and I can sympathise how one might not like taking gambles on such a project contribution. However, many people appear to be quite content to partake in the national lottery(ies) week in week out, which again do not present any certainties.

I hope my above thoughts are proved to be unfounded in the near future, but I just had to say how disappointed I was with the general reaction from club members in particular. I do hope that, now the current target amount needed is not so insurmountable, that Campaign members will see the real benefit of their personal contributions towards this worthy cause.

Just my tuppence worth as they say. (Hope I haven't offended anyone).

Martin

PS My cheque's on its way later this morning

[ThomasH]

I know the Save Dreamland Disco for this year was understandably shelved but in light of recent events, could the idea not be revived as I understood it made a considerable amount of money last time? It would be a good place for people to come together and donate as well. I certainly would encourage people I know to donate and attend.

TH

[vince69619]

I don't know what is wrong with people. I have mailed Sarah already with an offer of some cash.

A modest contribution from a few of the members and we can cover this.

Come on people, put your money where your mouth is.

Vince.

[dave771]

Can I just point out that a disco or event takes a lot of time in planning and does cost money to set up. If the disco idea was a way of raising funds then we would of looked into it further. ThomasH, you say in your post you would encourage people to donate and attend so please do so by sending any donations to the trust in Nicks post above. Saving these parts from the Water Chute and all the rides from Southport have taken up many hours of our time so arranging events as well as everything else is not always a possible option. We do all have jobs, families and lives to lead as well as trying to do the best for the park and the campaign.

[DaveD]

Hi all,

Nick, what are the timescales involved in this? I'm more than happy to make a donation and may be able to enlist the help of others to get this together if we are up against it.

Hairy Vince and I would be happy to arrange another disco without wanting anything for it but as Dave C said, it does take a considerable amount of time and planning. It is also a gamble of sorts as there is always the possibility of us putting more in than we get out, - Vince and I had an immense amount of support from our friends and families last time and we couldn't guarantee the same again at short notice.

Vince69619 is right people, we can get this done. To be honest, having a ride situated on the site which we all pooled together to save would be a fitting and permanent tribute to this campaign.


Dave D

[Susan]

Hi Dave

The timescales are very tight to pay these bills hence the appeal, we have already emptied the Campaign's very modest piggy bank and of course need more.

If a fundraiser could be held in the near future that would be great as we always need a little pot to help us fight on, the last disco has been a life saver to us. As you all know I live rather too far away to be involved in arranging events of this nature, though just of late I seem to have taken in rather a lot of the country!!!! We really do need people, in the area, able to do that for us, arranging venues, publicity and all the other things fundraising entails.

I would like to say a big thank you to everyone who has already pledged financial help, those who have already sent something, you are all wonderful. As we have said elsewhere this was a great leap of faith but we just couldn't let this last chance go; you can see from the pictures we were, in some cases, saving items from rubble.

We would be most grateful for any financial assistance that can be given now to meet the costs.

Susan

[vince69619]

Vince69619 is right people, ...

Dave, I am the not very hairy Vince if you remember!

Vince.

[DaveD]

I've spoken to (Hairy!) Vince today and we are more than happy to organise another event - maybe there are other possibilities as
opposed to doing another Disco?

We are always happy to help in any way we can.

Dave D

[Jim Douglas Jr.]

E-mail sent. I'm in.

Edit:
Reply From Sarah received.
25 pound donation sent via PayPal.

[Vince, Charlie and Sam]

I'm out of work at the moment so I'll put my hands up now and say I can't send anything at the mo.

In the past I have done my best and called in favours which have helped out but this time I'm helpless.

[Jim Douglas Jr.]

Enthusiasm can be worth it's weight in gold.
Maybe look around and find something you've been meaning to sell on eBay and then donate the proceeds.

[paul69]

i would like to personally thank all for the hard work that has gone into the trust to date and admire the trust asking directly for support/ donations. my cheque is in the post. we will win somehow and when ! who knows! but lets stay positive and keep fighting and pulling together the trust will win in the end . Fingers crossed.

[Susan]

Vince dont feel bad your circumstances are difficult at the moment we know the support you have given the Campaign in the past.

I was extremely grateful for your helpful advice this weekend when I was doing a rapid course in road haulage to arrange transport for the items we needed to move.

Being a member of this Campaign can be very educational you gain a whole new set of skills though just lately it has been a case of very accelerated learning!!

[EAS]

Well, sorry folks I'm a bit behind hand catching up with things at the moment here but I can give a small amount too. Have emailed for the secret code from Sarah! If we all give what we can (apart from if we can't, and I appreciate that not everyone has any spare cash at all!) then surely we can cover the sum?