The Royal Hippodrome Theatre (RHT), Eastbourne is appealing for everyone’s help as it applies for funding from the Aviva Community Fund.
The Community Interest Company that runs the venue has put in an application for up to £25,000 from the fund in the “support community category”. If successful the money will be used to prepare for a full first stage bid with the Heritage Lottery Fund.
“We have been in talks for some time with the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) and seeking advice through our theatre consultant about how to go about putting in a really strong first stage bid to obtain a £1.2million grant. In order to get to the first stage bid – we have to instruct a number of experts, draw up plans and have surveys carried out. This, it is estimated, will cost £30,000. The RHT is not obtaining any funding as part of the Coastal Communities fund or the Pier Tourism Fund and is obviously not part of the Devonshire Park Project and so we really are needing the public’s help” Darren Weir, Community Engagement Director
The directors submitted an application with the AVIVA Community Fund at the very last minute as they only found out about it 4 days before the submission deadline!
In order to reach the Final, the project needs to attract public votes and whilst the public are in the “voting mood” with the elections – what better time to cast your vote for this worthy cause?!
The Theatre is asking everyone to go online, register and vote. Everyone gets 10 votes and they can all be used for the one project. It only takes a couple of minutes and costs nothing. Tell your friends, tell your family and please spread the word.
Cast your vote direct at this link:
https://community-fund.aviva.co.uk/voting/project/view/2255/