FUNDRAISING

Fundraising is an important aspect of our work. We have previously raised funds to purchase disability buggies, presentation displays, and interpretation panels. We also supported the National Lottery-funded Fortress Dover project where we raised £6000 for the renovation and installation of the WW1 Anti-Aircraft Gun which was then fired every weekend as part of a Gun Drill re-enactment. This genuine 3-inch gun is the only one of its type anywhere in the World that can still fire. We have recently raised £5000 for our Constables Tower Project which has come to fruition with the Kitchen Garden Project. We also raised £2500 for the Friends of Dover Castle Dover Community Time Capsule Project where we were lead partners.

Income Streams

Membership subscriptions. This is our main income and thank you to all who become members and pay subscriptions. If you are a UK taxpayer we would ask that you tick the GIFT AID box as this gives us an extra 25% of the money we raise from membership. We applied to HMRC and they deemed us to be a qualifying charity whereby our membership qualifies for Gift Aid, so please tick the box on the membership application or send us an email advising you wish us to claim GIFT AID – this could give us an extra £500 a year!

Kitchen Garden Plant Sales

The Kitchen Garden project has an allocation of funds with which to work but the garden does generate funds through plant sales. The greenhouse and potting shed are both utilised to grow plants from seeds for planting in the garden. However, the project was so successful in growing on and producing plants for the garden in 2022, it actually produced a huge surplus. To generate funds we attended a local village fete and sold a large number of plants, similarly during open days at the Kitchen Garden we offered our surplus to visitors on a ‘suggested donation’ basis. Between June 2022 and April 2024 we have generated in excess of £600 towards the running of the project. This method of generating funds is now an integral part of the project and helps to offset the cost of compost which runs at approximately £450 per annum currently.