Nigel and Mark Smurf it up for Seaton Delaval Hall

****** Well it's all over and I'm still trying to get the taste on paint out my mouth. It was all suitably embarrassing. Thanks for all your donations, kind words or veiled insults. Those who haven't yet made a donation - SHAME ON YOU - but don't despair you can still donate and help save Seaton Delaval Hall (Hurrah!)*******

As you are hopefully aware, the National Trust are running a campaign to raise £13.2million to acquire Seaton Delaval Hall and open it regularly to the public. Described as architect Sir John Vanbrugh's final masterpiece (not bad considering he designed Blenheim Palace and Castle Howard) Seaton Delaval Hall is a truly inspirational building. We believe that the economic, community and cultural opportunities that will be created if the Hall becomes a National Trust property will greatly enhance the lives of local people - and the thousands of visitors who will get to see it for themselves each year.

Both myself and Nigel have been working in partnership with the National Trust for the last six or so months and passionately want the campaign to succeed.  Within the local community there have been loads of examples of people finding imaginative ways to raise funds - so we decided we too should do our bit! We have therefore decided that on Monday 15 December we will come to work dressed as Smurfs for the full day - fufilling all prior engagements or meetings without explanation or prior warning to colleagues or associates.

Why Smurfs I hear you ask?  Perhaps this extract from Nigel's forthcoming autobiography will help explain.

"Ever since I was a small child I have been obsessed with smurfs. I think about them most of the time. Sometimes I find it hard to concentrate on anything else..."

All we ask is that you donate what you can to help us - it's not a bad deal - you help save one of Britain's great buildings, make me look like an idiot and allow Nigel to fulfill a lifetime's dream - 3 for the price of 1!

Thanks for visiting our fundraising page.

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Mark Robinson and Nigel Walsh