Member Article

Grant hands fans a bright future

The Fans Museum in Sunderland has been awarded a significant National Lottery Heritage Fund grant to help secure its future.

Two new full-time roles in technology and commercial fields will be created thanks to the £99,080 grant which, founders say, will see the Sunderland museum digitise its collection, transform access and expand its commercial offerings.

The Fans Museum, based in North Bridge Street off Monkwearmouth Bridge, houses a vast collection of sporting memorabilia, including some unique treasures, reflecting the history of football, and the connection between sporting heritage and communities.

The plan now is to create a ‘digital hub’ where volunteers, social groups and schools will be able to take part in the project through digital first and training events, removing the barriers and gaps in IT skills – allowing even more people to enjoy and play a part in securing the museum’s collection.

Founder Michael Ganley said without the National Lottery Heritage Fund grant the heritage collection could have been lost forever and its stories unheard.

He said: “We are thrilled to have received this Fans-tastic support from The National Heritage Fund that will have a huge impact on the development and sustainability of the Museum and the impact it will have on the communities in which we operate.

“I’d like to extend my thanks to all National Lottery players – we are truly blessed to have received their support”.

Over the next ten years, National Lottery players will invest £3.6billion in good causes, including “protecting, transforming and sharing the things from the past that people care about, from popular museums and historic places, our natural environment and fragile species, to the languages and cultural traditions that celebrate who we are.”

Helen Featherstone, director, England, North at The National Lottery Heritage Fund said: “We are delighted that thanks to National Lottery players, this award will support the digitisation of The Fans Museum’s incredible sporting heritage collection.

“It is exciting to know that the collection will be widely accessible online and engage more audiences with the history of football.”

The Fans Museum will soon be advertising the new opportunities which you can view here: https://fansmuseum.org/opportunities/

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Bdaily Publishing .