THE future of a campaign for the development of an innovative Tree Hub in Glasgow Botanic Gardens hangs in the balance this week as campaigners have issued a last ditch public appeal to find a benefactor willing to donate a six-figure sum to close the balance needed to make the exciting project come to fruition.
The public fundraising appeal has so far been aimed at West Enders who use the Gardens on a regular basis but, with costs now coming in much higher than originally projected for the Hub, and time running out to raise the much needed funding, the project is now solely reliant on the generosity of a major benefactor to realise the vision for the ambitious project.
Tom Christian, Project Officer at National Tree Collections of Scotland, has been heavily involved in the development of the Tree Hub project and hopes that this final plea will encourage someone to come forward and offer a significant financial contribution to the project.
Tom said: “The Tree Hub project has been a labour of love for all the people involved in getting it off the ground. But this really is the eleventh hour for us. We are so close to making the project become a reality, but our final project estimates have come in higher than planned and, although we have been successful in raising almost £300,000 in grant funding to enable the project to proceed, we still will not have enough. We just need a bit more support from the people who love the Botanics the most. There are so many extraordinary stories in these gardens waiting to be told, and we really want to make the tree hub a reality for the people of Glasgow.”
The Tree Hub, a joint project between the Friends of Glasgow Botanics and the National Tree Collections of Scotland, will be a grand information point that links the city’s trees with other major tree collections in Scotland. From the Hub, people will be able to learn the hidden stories of the Garden’s trees and use the area as a place to relax and reflect. The Tree Hub is the centrepiece of a variety of tree additions including a new Tree Trail and staff in the gardens offering talks and tours that will bring the Gardens to life.
The Hub has had some very high profile support from celebrities who have an affinity with the West End. Hollywood actor Alan Cumming planted his support along with indie-rockers Belle and Sebastian and TV presenter Cat Cubie, who launched the campaign last month.
Alan, a former West End resident, said: “There’s nothing more refreshing than green space right at the heart of a city. For me the Glasgow Botanic Gardens were a haven of peace and tranquillity, giving me a chance to get back to nature right on my doorstep when I lived there. I was a regular visitor to the Gardens when I lived in West End, and I’m delighted to lend my support to the development of the Tree Hub.”
How to Donate:
- To make a donation, visit www.glasgowbotanicgardens.com/about-the-friends/donate/
- For more information about Glasgow Botanic Gardens, visit www.glasgowbotanicgardens.com
- For larger donations, it is recommended that you contact the Glasgow Botanics on 0141 276 1614
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For further information on this news release, please contact Tricia Fox, Volpa, Tel: 07989 955039 or 01738 658187, Email: t.fox@volpa.co.uk
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Contact: Tricia Fox
Phone: 01738658187
Email: t.fox@volpa.co.uk
Website: http://www.volpa.co.uk
