Charles Darwin Shrewsbury garden fund growing fast

Organisers of a £75,000 appeal to buy part of the garden where Charles Darwin grew up in Shrewsbury have revealed their campaign has got off to a flying start.

The Shropshire Wildlife Trust has raised about £12,000 towards its target so far since launching the appeal in February. The campaign has won the backing of wildlife presenter Sir David Attenborough.

The group has received donations from within the county but also from as far afield as London and America as it continues to push for funding.

The money will be used towards buying, running and maintaining part of the garden on The Mount.

The majority of the money raised so far has come from Shropshire Wildlife Trust members, who have put their hands in their pockets to donate more than £10,000.

John Hughes, development manager for the trust, said: "The response has been marvellous. Many people have sent in cheques and others have dropped by at the Trust to donate."

An open day at the garden also raised £1,200 for the cause after money was collected by students from Harper Adams.

A spokesman for the trust said: "The trust is hoping to buy an acre of steep, wooded land that was once part of the Darwin family's garden at The Mount in Shrewsbury.

"No other part of Charles Darwin's birthplace and childhood home is open to the public and this slip of woodland would open up a cherished corner of his world.

"The aim would not be to create a major tourist attraction, but to provide a much-wanted place where people can see where young Charles Darwin lived and the landscape that he loved.

"The appeal target of £75,000 includes a range of costs of which the land price is a relatively small part.

"Establishment costs, including the removal of unsafe trees, opening up of views, boundary work and access improvements need to be funded. A significant sum will also be set aside as the Trust will look after the site in perpetuity."

To donate, visit www. shropshirewil dlifetrust.org.uk/darwins garden, or send a cheque to Shropshire Wildlife Trust, 193 Abbey Foregate, Shrewsbury SY3 2AH.

By Chris Burn