Supporters of Morayvia raise £6800 for the aviation museum
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SUPPORTERS of aviation museum Morayvia have raised more than £6500 to ensure it can open post-lockdown.
The Kinloss-based organisation aimed to raise £5000 to "keep Morayvia alive" and smashed their target in just three days.
A total of 117 people raised £6460 through a Crowdfunding page and a further £340 came through a pub quiz, supported by 17 people.
Chairman Mark Mair is extremely thankful for all the support.
He said: "It just shows there is tremendous support for all charities here – not just us.
"We are very lucky to have support from the local community and beyond.
"We are going to put a big plaque next to the Vulcan Bomber and put the names of the people who donated on there as a show of thanks."
While many organisations have been able to access funding, Morayvia missed out due to their rateable value being slightly higher than £50,000.
That meant missing out on £25,000 worth of funding, Mark said.
He added: "Although we are shut down, our running costs continue.
"We invested a lot over winter getting ready for 2020 and then all of a sudden we can't open our funds are – or were – low.
"Our rateable value is £55,000 and that stopped us accessing the funding available and left us with a gap to plug."
While relying on funding themselves, Morayvia have been chipping in to help during the coronavirus pandemic.
Recently the organisations built 13 computers for the University of the Highlands and Islands to give to vulnerable students, while they have also donated to Moray Food Plus, Moray Scrubs and the Moray Emergency Relief Fund.
"We were set up as a charity to support other charities and community groups," Mark added. "We gave Moray Scrubs £200 for the first bunch of material for them to get started and have donated a lot of food to Moray Food Plus.
"I would also like to thank all emergency services and charitable organisations out in the community - that's a big thing at the moment."
Morayvia continue to welcome donations. Visit their Crowdfunding site HERE, of their website HERE.
