Cinema campaign in plea to get cash rolling to transform Wellington bank

Wellington-based charity, the Clifton Community Arts Centre, wants to convert the HSBC bank building in the town into a community centre including an 80 seat cinema, and is asking people to help it win an additional £1,000 of funding.

Localgiving, a support network for local charities and community groups, will put the spotlight on fundraisers through its Local Hero campaign as it looks for someone to win this year’s prestigious title.

Last year’s Local Hero campaign saw 410 fundraisers raise a total of £108,705 in donations, prizes and Gift Aid from more than 7,765 donors throughout the month. The winner, Alistair Sill, won after cycling across Wales for Taking Flight Theatre Company.

The 2017 campaign runs until 30th April. Anyone taking part needs to come up with a challenge, set up a fundraising page for the Clifton Group on Localgiving and persuade people to donate.

At the end of the campaign, Localgiving will award £5,000 in prizes to the causes supported by the top 20 fundraisers, with a top prize of £1,000 going to the cause of the fundraiser who has secured the most donors.

Charlotte Clark of Charlotte Clark Designer Maker on Queen Street in Wellington has agreed to be a fundraiser.

She said: “I have been asked to become a Local Hero and create a bespoke piece of wall art to be exhibited as a permanent fixture in the Clifton upon its launch.

Fiona Hunter, for the Clifton charity said: “Local Hero is an exciting campaign. We hope that the local community will make the most of the opportunity to support our cause.

“Our offer to get the HSBC building is currently with the bank and we are looking to fund the project through a combination of local money from the community topped up with grants.”

For more information about the Clifton Group visit www.theclifton.org