The Cutty Sark Trust is fundraising for The Cutty Sark Trust

Cutty Sark Fire

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Raising money for

The Cutty Sark Trust

Charity Registration No. 1080462

The Cutty Sark Trust is an independent charity which owns and runs the sole surviving tea clipper, Cutty Sark. The ship is the iconic Gateway to the Maritime Greenwich World Heritage Site. For over 50 years she has been the flagship of the area which now attracts over six million visitors a year. The Trust’s mission is to ensure that Cutty Sark is preserved for this and future generations as a rich cultural resource for all. The ship was undergoing a major conservation project when fire swept through her in May 2007. For more information please visit www.cuttysark.org.uk

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The Cutty Sark Trust

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31/08/2008

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Raised so far: £2,437,561.19

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My story

An Update From Richard Doughty, Chief Executive, Cutty Sark Trust

On 21 May 2007 a major fire swept through Cutty Sark. Media images suggested a unique icon of world maritime history gone forever. Amazingly, we learned very quickly that less than 2% of the fabric from her working life as a sailing ship has been lost. We are remarkably lucky – Cutty Sark is still here.

At the time of the fire, the ship’s masts, gear and deckhouses and saloon , along with half of the historic planking had been removed for conservation or storage. Of the remaining planks only a few were badly damaged and even so we have been able to remove the charring so they can be rehung. More importantly, we found out that the ship’s iron frame has not distorted significantly.

Our overall project vision is not compromised. We can still lift the ship 3m above her current position to allow visitors to walk under her uniquely shaped hull. We can pursue our active treatments for corrosion, stress and wear and tear. We aim to reopen in early 2010 when Cutty Sark will be relaunched as a landmark visitor attraction and inspirational museum for all.

We still do not know what caused the fire. We are waiting for the police report to be issued; the ship is technically still a crime scene.

Momentum on the project has been sustained since the fire. Now for the first time since she was built, the iron frame is fully exposed as 80% of the hull planks are now off. A third of the ship has now been cleaned with a wet abrasive process exposing foundry marks not seen since 1869. The bowsprit and rudder have now been removed for conservation. The poop has been raised to expose the metal work underneath.

On 25 January we received the best news of all: the Heritage Lottery Fund announced it would award our project an exceptional grant of £10m. Carole Souter, Director of the HLF, said, “The Cutty Sark is an amazing testament to our maritime heritage and one that we felt passionately must be protected for another century’s worth of enjoyment.”

This incredible support means we have now raised £30m of the £35m needed to save the ship, made possible by the generosity of companies, trusts and thousands of individual well-wishers from around the world.. We still have £5m to raise but we now have confidence to turn our vision for Cutty Sark into a reality.

Please join with us now on the last leg of our voyage by donating – together we can raise Cutty Sark’s masts again!

Thank you for your support

	For my kids to be able to visit it like I did. Donation by Sarah 02/12/07	£10.00 + £2.82 Gift Aid
	Donation by FP 29/11/07	£100.00 + £28.21 Gift Aid
	May she rise from the ashes! Donation by Tim Harrington 29/11/07	£200.00 + £56.41 Gift Aid
	Donation by Lee 28/11/07	£100.00 + £28.21 Gift Aid
	I hope to be in Greenwich when the noble ship will be fully restored! Donation by Sergio Bellabarba 24/11/07	£100.00
	Good luck with the restoration. Donation by Chris Gostick 23/11/07	£50.00 + £14.10 Gift Aid
	Good luck with the restoration Donation by Steve Fishwick 23/11/07	£100.00 + £28.21 Gift Aid
	Donation by Richard Deacon 23/11/07	£100.00 + £28.21 Gift Aid
	For future generations Donation by Gerald Fox 23/11/07	£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid
	Good luck in raising the funds necessary to restore this marvellous ship to its former glory. Donation by Lesley Page 22/11/07	£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid
	Donation by pegasus 22/11/07	£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid
	Donation by Elizabeth Collins 22/11/07	£10.00 + £2.82 Gift Aid
	a shame the immedaite area has been so rundown for so long. Bland concrete space without landscaping Donation by m walkling 22/11/07	£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid
	Good luck Donation by Anonymous 22/11/07	£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid
	Looking forward to the day I can visit again Donation by Dominic Varley 22/11/07	£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid
	Donation by Chris 22/11/07	£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid
	Donation by SEAN SMART 22/11/07	£5.00 + £1.41 Gift Aid
	Donation by gina63 22/11/07	£50.00 + £14.10 Gift Aid
	Donation by Neville 22/11/07	£100.00
	A unique ship that is a national treasure that must be preserved Donation by Jon 21/11/07	£20.00
	Donation by anonymous 21/11/07	£5.00 + £1.41 Gift Aid
	Donation by Jamie 21/11/07	£10.00 + £2.82 Gift Aid
	Donation by Jim Williamson 21/11/07	£10.00 + £2.82 Gift Aid
	Best of Luck with the project Donation by Nigel Speakman 21/11/07	£10.00 + £2.82 Gift Aid
	Keep up the good work Donation by Andy Bates 21/11/07	£100.00 + £28.21 Gift Aid
	Donation by Simon Lewis 21/11/07	£5.00 + £1.41 Gift Aid
	Donation by Amy Barnes 21/11/07	£10.00 + £2.82 Gift Aid
	Donation by richard watson 21/11/07	£10.00 + £2.82 Gift Aid
	I wanted this to be $50 USDollars but we will make further contributions. We LOVE the Cutty Sark Donation by Carole and Ben Lonsway 18/11/07	£50.00
	I love the sea and that which is connected to it,incl history. I look forward to seeing it restored! Donation by Cat Burns 18/11/07	£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid

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* Total raised online:	£44,535.19
Offline donations:	£2,393,026.00
Gift Aid plus supplement:	£9,361.95

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Find out how much it is and what we do for it.