At the start of August the Friends of Bangor Garth Pier (FBGP) launched an appeal to raise £40,000 to complete the essential work on the substructure of the pier to make it safe and protect it for generations to come.
The Trustees of the FBGP are delighted to announce that only three and a half weeks into their appeal, the £40,000 target has been reached.
The £40,000 from the appeal will be matched with funding from Bangor City Council and the work is scheduled to start within the next few weeks weather and the contractor’s schedule permitting.
The launch date coincided with Storm Floris arriving in Bangor but it did not deter the local and national media who were invaluable in helping to raise the profile of the appeal.
Several big donations including from Nick Pritchard and CPD Dinas Bangor 1876 FC, Simon Squibb, Elin Haf Davies, Ryan Howard, the Tregarth Family Trust, Peter Gillard, Tony Claydon, Chris Jere and several anonymous donors which, one from a local resident, made a huge difference to reaching the target in less than half the planned time.
Donations and support was received from local businesses, by volunteers, trustees and pier kiosk holders, and the local MP Claire Hughes.
Money was collected on GoFundMe, by bank transfers, and in person in cash and cheques both at the pier and at the Gwyl Haf Bangor Summer Festival.
A local schoolgirl 10 yr old Kate made bracelets for the appeal and sold them on the pier raising an unbelievable £52 – one of the most moving donations of all.
This is not the end of the appeal which will continue until October with any surplus funds going towards future projects including the sandblasting and painting of the pier substructure.
Said Friends of Bangor Garth Pier Chair Avril Wayte, “On August 4th I asked the people of Bangor to help keep our pier safe.
“Well – what a result! You exceeded all our wildest dreams – in just three and a half weeks we crossed the line!
“I am incredibly touched and moved by the love shown to our pier, and your incredible generosity and also touched also how the community has come together!
“We still have lots of fundraising events planned – a Bingo night, coffee mornings, sponsored walks, events involving local schools, funeral donations promised, and a Bangor Day at the Houses of Parliament! – so let’s take this even further – the sky is the limit – at this rate next year’s sandblasting and painting will be paid for in advance!
“From me and all the Friends of Garth Pier – thank you!”
Said Dr Martin Hanks Bangor City Council Director, “Reaching the target so quickly is truly amazing and means that the work on the substructure can be completed more quickly than anticipated.
“Bangor City Council are so grateful to the Friends of Bangor Garth Pier for their dedication to our pier.
“I would like to extend a massive thank you to everyone who has contributed to ensure the future of our beautiful pier.”