Donations

So, before we go any further, to be 100% transparent , a few things need to be made clear.

• Tallywhacker is currently privately owned! The land was privately purchased (by me) with the intention of planting a woodland. 
• The long term objective is to make the project charitable somehow (to avoid leaving my kids a headache to deal with)
• But currently , it is NOT charitable. Any donations will be in my name and held in an account in my name and not in a charity. For now at least. 

That said, the project has cost me a fortune, continues to cost a fortune and currently has zero income of its own.

Just insuring the field costs £150 each year. Allowing public access gives the owner (currently me) liability if anyone hurts themselves because of my neglect. I can't afford to have somebody take my home from me, so insurance is really a necessity. Nobody is paying for that other than me personally. 

New trees cost money (we still have several hundred to plant). The mower cost money, the mower fuel and service costs hundreds a year. Benches, equipment and general maintenance cost hundreds. The expense is non stop, it is an absolute joy, but it costs quite a lot of money - and I am now retired from (paid) work. The money tap has been turned off. 

At the moment, I am managing to find the cash. Ongoing , and certainly when I am more dead, there is no plan. At the moment my labour is free, mowing and other labour costs nothing. Friends help me out for now. But costs will only increase as I age and die more. So I am making a plan to prepare for the future and the long term - it is a very long term project that will exceed my short life. 

I have started a fund that will be invested for the long term, to fund upkeep and maintenance in the long term. Its a modest pot so far (mostly funded by me again) but over time it should grow. The interest/income from it, should start to cover some costs slowly as I manage to raise more capital. 

With a £5,000 pot the insurance can be paid with the interest / investment growth. With a £15,000 pot the insurance can be paid and the paths can be cut once a year. Forever hopefully. It would be nice to leave some future charity trustees with a small annual income to keep the place in good condition. 

I have planted some Christmas Trees, these will help grow the pot once they are big enough to sell, I am trying to think of other ways to raise a few quid. 

When the field/woodland eventually becomes operated by a charity (the plan in the coming years all being well), the pot of cash will also be transferred into a charity. But until that time, its in my name.

If you are able to contribute , it would be very much appreciated and you have my word, that it will only go towards the maintenance and improvement of Tallywhacker wood - for the benefit of wildlife, the environment and local people. 

Donations can be sent to :

1st Direct 
Account : John Jordan
Sort Code : 40-47-63
Account : 71284401
Please add "Tallywhacker Wood" as a reference. 

The pot is currently £2964. 

I would be happy to answer any queries, please raise any questions on the Facebook "Friends of Tallywhacker Wood" group. 

Thank you for reading.