Waverley boiler appeal reaches the half million milestone
Donations to save the Paddle Steamer Waverley have now exceeded £500,000 following the iconic steamship’s withdrawal from service earlier this summer.
The major appeal which was officially launched in June aims to raise the £2.3 million needed to install a new boiler Waverley, a regular visitor to Campbeltown, and return her to service in 2020.
Waverley’s general manager Paul Semple said: ‘Thanks to the fantastic public response to our Save The Waverley Boiler Refit Appeal we have reached a key milestone in our fundraising campaign.
‘To date more than 4,000 individuals have donated with some of our core supporters giving a ‘once-in-alifetime donation’ knowing that we urgently need funds to secure Waverley’s future. In addition, we have received offers of help from several organisations and companies, but we will need further help to get Waverley’s paddles turning again.
‘With the new boilers already on order we must increase our efforts to secure further funding to allow our plans to progress which will see Waverley undergo major surgery commencing in January.’
Waverley is currently berthed in Glasgow where preparation works are on-going by her engineers and loyal band of volunteers. Earlier this week the first section of deck was cut open to enable some large components in the ship’s boiler room, which are already dismantled, to be lifted free.
Donations to the Boiler Refit Appeal can be made online at waverleyexcursions.co.uk or by calling 0141 243 2224 or by texting STEAM £20 TO 70085. All donations made directly to Waverley Excursions will be recorded on a donor wall on board Waverley.