Local fundraising

In November 2019 we were invited to apply to a special Crowdfunder version of the Aviva Community Fund. The criteria are about INNOVATION and COMMUNITY COHESION, both continuing to develop wellbeing in groups and also looking at new technologies. We developed a campaign to fund new Air Source Pump Heating system, so that we can follow Government guidance to ditch old gas converter heaters, and embrace the new, clean technology of taking air into the building, heating it with an exchanger, and then pumping old stale air out. New insulation of the whole building will help us to reduce our carbon footprint and should reduce our heating bills as well. The total cost is about £15,000.
By April 2020 we had received pledges for just over £1000, our target. We will use this to pay for an engineering consultation to get the best equipment for the Hall's needs, and do research into fundraising for the total cost.

PMH's “RAISE THE ROOF” campaign

11th November 2014 saw the beginning of a World War One commemoration for Patcham Memorial Hall, which we hoped would culminate in "raising the roof" to celebrate the centenary of Peace in 1918.
Our original target was £75,000!
The Hall's roof was our initial priority for repair, as winter storms over the years have weakened it. Over Christmas and New Year of 2015-16, we had to use funds we had available at the time to replace the roof completely, or face a complete disaster!
The work was done with as little disruption as possible to the several hundred people who use the Hall every day.

In 2016/17 Patcham Memorial Hall (PMH) was accepted for two community fund-raising schemes

AVIVA!

Patcham’s R.T. Williams Insurance Brokers Ltd. supported PMH by nominating us as its local charity for the AVIVA Community Fund.
The Aviva Community Fund is an initiative that lends a helping hand to local communities by offering support and funding for inspirational local causes.
Thanks to local people, hall users, businesses, and friends and family voting for us, Aviva awarded us just over £9000 to upgrade the Hall's toilets to larger easy access cubicles, and baby-change facility.
They invited us to apply for a second year, and we applied so that we can finish the stage renovation, install new lighting and an Audio Induction loop, in time for our Celebrating the Peace in November 2018. Unfortunately this year we were not successful, but we will seek further support locally and nationally, as we discover suitable awards.

The second scheme is the Coop’s Local Community Fund.
Throughout 2016 and 2017 PMH was one of its Patcham-based charities. As local Patcham Coop members, people supported us by nominating us as their LCF charity. This is awarded for a maximum of two years at a time, and in 2018 the local Coop is supporting other local deserving causes.

If you want to see who is benefitting this year, the logo above is a link to their website
http://www.coop.co.uk/membership/local-community-fund/
where you can register online, with your membership number.
Each time you use your card, you get 5% off all own-brand Coop products and your nominated charity is given a 1% “divi” on your purchases. You can ask the Community Fund in your local Coop, if you need more information. We'll try again next year!

In our Raise the Roof Postcard competition, the winner was local artist Sheila Sheppard, who depicted local residents and businesses from the last few decades all rallying around the Hall!

Can you help us?

We would appreciate ideas or offers of help to enhance our own efforts. We are particularly interested to know if any businesses in Patcham will help out with Services in Kind, such as surveying, advising on the fabric of the Hall, and fundraising!

We'd like to thank the U3A groups who use the hall, for their donations to date of £1000+ and to encourage others to do the same.

PLEASE DONATE TODAY !