Here’s a big toast to the100 Days to Save Coats Memorial
The clock is ticking on the £1.5 million appeal to save Paisley’s historic Thomas Coats Memorial Church from ruin.
Today, the appeal –‘100 Days to Save Coats Memorial’– reaches its 20th day, with donations so far mounting to just under £35,000.
In a bid to raise the profile of the fundraising effort, the maker of the world-renowned whisky The Famous Grouse will donate a personalised bottle to the top ten donors.
Ian Henderson, who leads the Coats Memorial Steering Group, said:“Having the backing of an iconic Scottish brand like The Famous Grouse highlights how truly important the Coats Memorial building is to Scotland, not just to the people of Paisley.
“The charitable support from communities across the country, and the rest of the world, will be crucial to the success of the campaign and our plans to turn it into a world class events and entertainment venue.
“We’re therefore delighted that Edrington, makers of The Famous Grouse, has offered this as a reward to some of our biggest supporters.”
The steering group aims to not only save this 19th-century architectural masterpiece building from ruin by turning it into an events venue.
The church closed as a place of worship last August due to the high cost of running it and a downturn in congregation numbers.
The steering group behind the appeal, which is made up of prominent local people, wants to see the building compete with places such as Glasgow’s Oran Mor and Edinburgh’s Mansfield Traquair as a multipurpose arts venue and provide a space which can be enjoyed by both the artistic and local communities.
The possible success of the appeal remains uncertain just now, however.
With 80 days left to go, most of the 115 people who have donated cash so far have given amounts ranging from £10 to £30.
The vast majority of the more than £34,000 raised came from an anonymous American donor who gave $25,000.
Throughout the 100 days campaign Coats Memorial will host performances by PACE Theatre Company and University of West Scotland Choir, with many more to be confirmed.
Tapestry artist, Andrew Crummy, has also begin a Tapestry of Paisley, paying homage to the town’s most famous sons and daughters.
To donate to the appeal and to be in with a chance of winning a special whisky bottle, visit www.justgiving.com/campaign/100d aystosavecoatsmemorial