A Victorian museum has received a £10,000 boost from the Garfield Weston Foundation.

The Wisbech and Fenland Museum applied for the grant to help cover running costs as they work towards a new sustainable model to keep the museum open.

Curator Robert Bell said: “We applied for 'breathing space: a chance to adapt and grow', and the Foundation responded.

"This is a generous grant towards our running costs and we've got a year to show progress towards being able to pay our way into the future.

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“We welcome this show of confidence from the Foundation which only recently gave £25,000 from a separate project fund towards our new roof and renovations."

The museum has been struggling due to a lack of funding from local authorities.

Mr Bell praised the museum's volunteers and visitors for their support, especially those who have bought the £5 annual adult admission pass and supported events and community outreach work.

The museum is now hoping for more local individuals, companies and organisations to join the Supporters' Scheme or the new Patron's Scheme by pledging a regular amount from £5 a month upwards.

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The museum's five-year Refounders Scheme ended on March 31, 2023, bringing in £35,000 in pledged donations each year since 2017.

However, Wisbech Town Council's full annual grant of £20,000 was paid for the last time in April 2023 and will reduce each year by £2,500 down to zero.

Details on how to pledge can be found on the museum's website or at the reception desk.

Mr Bell added: "We have a great band of volunteers without whom we couldn't keep going, and have been encouraged by the response from visitors and local families who've accepted our introduction of a £5 annual adult admission pass and have supported all our events and community outreach work over the last few years."