The COVID-19 relief appeal for the paddle steamer Waverley has now exceeded £130,000 thanks to donations received from her generous supporters.
The appeal, which opened in September, must raise over £500,000 in total with a target of £350,000 from individuals. Other sources of funding are being pursued with vigour given that winter maintenance work is well underway with insufficient funds to complete it.
Waverley’s General Manager, Paul Semple, has said:
“I am delighted with the positive response and the support Waverley is once again receiving from so many people. The success of our Covid-19 Appeal is vital if we are to survive the winter and sail Waverley in summer 2021.
“The impact of Covid denied us the opportunity to sail Waverley for a full season on the Firth of Clyde and around other areas of the UK. When the ship did sail this year, passenger numbers were strictly limited to under 30% capacity resulting in a dramatic reduction in income.”
Waverley returned to service for 2 weeks in late August. During the short season, most sailings were sold out with many passengers unable to book a cruise given the reduced capacity due to COVID-19 restrictions.
Mr Semple adds:
“Waverley normally carries over 100,000 passengers annually but this season we saw less than 6,000 aboard. The ship needs to operate a full summer season to earn sufficient funds and cover costs. Waverley must be maintained to remain in operation and that maintenance comes at a high cost, this winter over £400,000 will be spent on routine works and drydocking.”
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Following heavy contact with the pier at Brodick, Waverley will receive a new bow when she is dry docked next spring ahead of the 2021 season. The cost of repairs to the bow will be met by insurance and not from funds raised through the COVID-19 Relief Appeal.
As the last seagoing paddle steamer in the world, Waverley is the sole survivor but without renewed support, she can’t survive the impact of COVID-19.
Donations to the appeal can be made online at www.waverleyexcursions.co.uk or by calling 0141 243 2224 or by texting STEAM followed by £10 or £20 to 70085. Those donating online can opt to be included on the Virtual Donor Wall.
A ship certainly worth saving. Surely the RYC could have a whip round?
Used see that pop in to Margate Harbour KENT
Forget the starving kids in this country and those that depend on food banks.. as long as this old shite is kept in good nick.. thank the lord for that.. at least there isn’t more serious issues going on in the world to concentrate on ehh
Pete – do gooder
everything isn’t about starving kids.
some of us do not have kids, do not want kids and most certainly do not want to pay for the food of other, irresponsible adults kids.
Traveller – do badder
As a UK Tax Payer I don’t wish to for my taxes to be sent over seas to be used there, I’d rather it was kept in the UK.. but something out of my control..: however assisting the needs of others is fully in my control and clearly something you do your best to avoid..
You are correct in Saying it’s not all about starving kids, but asking for handouts to keep this wooden shack floating whilst we’re going through this pandemic is a joke.: thousands of businesses have folded and people without jobs.. right before Xmas… but the steamer fund is seen as a priority… wake up and get your head out your Frosties… Do Gooder!!
and pete – if they can raise money to restore and preserve that boat, then a lot of currently unemployed people will have jobs fixing the boat won’ they
perhaps you need to understand a little bit more about why these projects are also necessary at this time.
Perhaps you need to understand priorities!! In the crisis we face at present you really think asking for hand outs to keep this wooden shite going is really necessary? So it appears due to Covid their passenger numbers have dropped so they are forced to beg for money… I wonder how many businesses that have closed down should have done the same? I mean.. would you donate to a massage therapist that finds themselves out of work due to Covid? Would you donate to the local tattoo parlour because they’ve been forced to shut? No you wouldn’t.. but these people aren’t begging are they! Be interested to know your wise crack answer now!
for the record ..i do not want to pay any taxes, as it is the forcible theft of my money that I earned, handed to spongers. If there weren’t so many spongers, I would have a lower tax bill.
That is what Ox fam and UNI CEF is for.
The newcomers have brought their t hird world problems with them. S tarving children, the v ilest of c rimes and b reeding is ‘what’ they do.
It is ‘not’ coincidental, but NO MP or person in authority can say so.
Well said
a lofe an tin beens
chep got muny fer fag
car walk e tallkey fone
fance cloves an stuf
if this fuxxcking country stopped GIVING AWAY £15 BILLION each year to world aid and spent it in this country this country would be better off !!! but oh no …