We did it! Peak District Charity hits fundraising challenge goal

The secrets of a fascinating long-lost family home can now be unlocked, thanks to generous donations in the Peak District National Park Foundation’s The Big Give Christmas Challenge

The challenge has now finished – reaching its ambitious goal of £5,000. This will allow work to begin on an augmented reality app to digitally bring back to life the ruins of Errwood Hall in the Goyt Valley. The app will be created in partnership with the South West Peak Landscape Partnership and will be further supported by the National Lottery Heritage Fund.

In just one week, over £1,500 was donated by members of the public, then matched by The Outdoor Guide Foundation’s generous pledge, giving a grand total from The Big Give Christmas Challenge of just over £2,700.

What’s more, local man James Butler was so inspired by the project that he has made a substantial donation. James, who was born in Buxton, made the donation because of the happy memories he has of spending time here with his grandparents, Arthur and Josephine Butler, of Whaley Bridge, and his parents, Hilary and Tony Butler, of Buxton.

This means that the Peak District National Park Foundation and the South West Peak Landscape Partnership can begin working with Bloc Media on the exciting project.

Together they will create an augmented reality app, which can be used on mobile phones and other devices. The app will help visitors, local school children and virtual visitors from around the world to see the ruins of Errwood Hall digitally restored to their former glory.

The ruins of Errwood Hall attract many visitors, but few know its story – or the significance of this once magnificent Victorian country home. Built in the early 1840s by Samuel Grimshawe, the hall was a stunning example of Victorian architecture and contained impress collections of art, sculpture and home décor of the period.

Dr Catherine Parker Heath, South West Peak cultural heritage officer, says: “I’m delighted that we have reached our target, and more! We now have enough to get started on the app and I’m so excited to be bringing life to Errwood Hall, along with understanding and respect for what was once such a grand place to behold. Thank you so much to everyone who donated. We would not be able to do it without you!”

The Foundation would like to thank The Outdoor Guide who provided the vital match funding for the project.

Julia Bradbury from TOG comments: “We are delighted that our pledge of match funding has helped this campaign to be so successful. Thank you so much to everyone who donated; we can’t wait to have a go with the app when it is ready.”

Claire Barlow from the Peak District National Park Foundation adds: “Thank you to everyone who has donated, and to the partners and businesses who have supported the campaign. This is a very exciting project to be part of and we look forward to launching the app in 2022.”

The app will start in development very soon, and will be launched in 2022. Keep an eye of the Peak District National Park Foundation’s website – www.peakdistricfoundation.org.uk – for news.