Celebrities unite in fight to aid museum
ONE of Manchester’s most popular museums is appealing to the public for money to get through the pandemic after suffering a £200,000 black hole in its finances.
Stars such as Sir Ian McKellen, Julie Hesmondhalgh and Maxine Peake are among the 300 people who have already pledged their support to The People’s History Museum as bosses aim to raise £25,000.
During video messages for the campaign, former Coronation Street star Hesmondhalgh said it was her favourite museum. She said it dealt with ordinary people struggles.
Sir Ian described the ‘amazing’ exhibitions that he has seen at the museum, which he said he could not recommend too strongly. He urged people to support the campaign.
Maxine added: “It is one of my favourite museums in the country. We will only move forward in the future if we learn from our past. We need places like PHM that look after that history and preserve it for future generations.”
PHM is the national museum of democracy, telling the story of its development in Britain.
The museum says it ‘ provides opportunities for all people to learn about, be inspired by and get involved in ideas worth fighting for; ideas such as equality, social justice, co-operation, and a fair world for all’.
Due to the strict Covid restrictions the museum’s revenue streams
It is one of my favourite museums in the country. We need places like PHM
Maxine Peake
were frozen for much of the year as they were unable to allow as many visitors as usual through the doors of its Spinningfields home.
It managed to adapt and move much of its work online. However, bosses at the 10-year-old museum say they have lost more than £200,000 since March.
Although outgoings have been massively reduced, it is costing more than £900 per day to maintain an online presence, look after the collection and take care of the historic listed building that makes up part of the museum site.
The crowdfunding page has been set up to cover essential costs for the building and has so far raised over £10,000.
Museum director Katy Ashton said: “The challenges of 2020 remain with us as we enter 2021 and like all cultural organisations we are under huge financial strain.
“We’ve reduced our overheads as much as possible and very gratefully received support from a number of funders. “Our decision to launch a Crowdfunder is about further protecting the museum so that it can continue nue to deliver its amazing work.
“If the response we’ve had so far is anything to go by, we are hopeful ee that we won’t have to make any further difficult decisions in the short term.” Supporters are also being offered rewards which range from a virtual tour experience for a donation of £25, to the chance to become a Radical Supporter for a pledge of £1,000.
● You can support the campaign at www.crowdfunder.co.uk/futurephm