IT’S official - Haslemere now has a ‘Museum in a Million’ secured for the benefit of future generations, thanks to the success of a major four-year fundraising campaign.

Better still, Haslemere’s Museum in a Million appeal, launched on its 125th anniversary in February 2013, has not only reached its target – but exceeded it by £300,000 in the final year of fundraising.

In 2013, more than 220 guests attended an evening reception where museum patron Baroness Bottomley of Nettlestone outlined the aim of the appeal, which was to create an endowment fund of at least £1million to ensure its independence and survival.

As an independent registered charity, Haslemere Museum is responsible for raising all its own funds and relies entirely on donations, bequests, sponsorship, and hire fees to keep going.

The campaign was supported by individual donations and benefactors’ bequests, as well as a wide range of fundraising events, including talks, demonstrations, tennis, golf, afternoon tea and bridge, a classic car day, branded goods and auctions.

The names of all those who have contributed to the Museum in a Million appeal have been recorded in a leather-bound Benefactors Book, which will be treasured as part of the museum’s history.

Museum curator Julia Tanner said: “In 2015, we hosted a celebratory event at the museum to mark the mid-way point of the appeal, and patrons including Sir Vernon Ellis, Philip Jackson and MP for South West Surrey and Secretary of State for Health, Jeremy Hunt, turned out in force to support us.

“At that stage, we had almost reached our target which is a fantastic achievement. In the final year the museum has now raised a staggering £1.3million exceeding the appeal target and a testimony to the generosity of many supporters.

“This vital fund will now help pay for the day-to-day running costs of the museum, and to keep it at the forefront as a centre of excellence for another 125 years.”

Chairman Melanie Odell added: “The museum is most fortunate to have the support of so many, and we are delighted to have reached our goal of more than £1,000,000.

“As an independent museum, the endowment fund will help us bridge the financial gap between income and expenditure and ensure it may be enjoyed by future generations.”