The Maid of the Loch’s future has been secured after a crowdfunding appeal raised more than £20,000 in just a month.
In May bosses at the Loch Lomond Steamship Company, who are working to restore the iconic paddlesteamer to her former glory, were concerned for the future of the project as lockdown had cost tens of thousands of pounds in lost income.
Traditionally spring and summer are the Maid’s busiest months of the year and, with a packed schedule of events and weddings booked up, it was set to be a busy time. However, with lockdown leading to the cancellation of all her events for the year and tourists urged to stay away from the Bonnie Banks during, the company launched a crowdfunding campaign to help keep her afloat.
People responded to the call for help, with the Maid handed a £21,000 lifeline to keep her £2m restoration on course.
John Beveridge, chair of the Loch Lomond Steamship Company, said: “In the four weeks of the campaign, donations have come in from all over the UK and abroad – a fantastic achievement.
“It shows just how much support the Maid has and that people are determined to see her being successful.
“We’d like to say a huge thank you to everyone who helped reach this marvellous total.
“We have a lot to do to comply with the Covid guidelines, from looking at a one-way system round the ship to what tearoom facilities can be offered. We need to make sure our volunteers and visitors both will be and feel safe.
“The crowdfunding will enable us to concentrate on reopening the Maid in August and to earn some money before the end of the season.”
John also paid tribute to the public support that continues to drive their work.
He said: “We depend on visitors coming to the ship and on people donating money to keep us going.
“The public support for the ship is what keeps us going. We know they want to see her sailing again.
“We’ve been doing this now for well over 20 years. To get to the stage where we’re close to this actually happening is great. Then the virus hits and it knocks the feet from under you.
“Our aim is to get the ship sailing again That’s always been our goal.
“We’re absolutely determined to do that but it depends on outside funding to help us.”
