A fundraising initiative has been set up in Sudbury to help purchase neighbouring buildings used by over 240 youngsters.
The Eden’s Project is aiming to raise £180,000 by January next year to buy its premises in Gainsborough Street, otherwise they could lose it.
The former landlord and owner Bill Yates, who had a farm in nearby Bulmer, moved to Kuala Lumpur, in Malaysia, 20 years ago, but died there last September. And in his will he gave the Eden’s Project first option to buy the buildings at a preferential rate.
The money raised will be spent on buying the premises (£120,000); the rest is being raised to pay costs and complete much needed repairs to it, a leaking conservatory and other renovations and any unspent monies would go to support its ongoing work.
Eden’s Project was formed in 1999 and since then has supported over 2,000 different young people in many different ways.
Its vision is to provide safe and enjoyable venues and activities for young people and it provides an alternative to hanging around on the streets and the dangers that can go along with this.
For the past 18 years Eden’s has rented the premises in Sudbury.
It has been adapted to suit the work of the organisation and includes a smoothie bar, a catering style kitchen with hatch to the conservatory, a music room and recording studio as well as office space and small meeting room.
If they are able to raise the money not only will they save the building they already use, but also the neighbouring premises will become owned by the Eden Project charity.
Eden’s could rent it out to help with running costs or expand to increase the scope of the charity, which opens up new possibilities and opportunities.
Stuart Ayling, the project manager/lead youth worker, said: “We have already raised £3,000 and we are also applying for grants and trusts to help further boost our appeal.
“We have already had good feedback from what we are doing and are encouraged and what we are trying to do is to tap into the 2,000 people that have been through the doors here and maybe they may make a donation to help safeguard it for future generations.”
To donate to the appeal go to the website https://mydonate.bt.com/events/edens
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