Make a change for botanic gardens

Hi, my name is David Rawsthorne and I started a Facebook campaign in March 2021 to draw attention to our beautiful Botanic Gardens Lake’s need for treatment after losing my best friend Ben in 2018. He took a tumble into the lake and caught a rare infection through a small cut in his leg and sadly died 3 weeks later after being placed into an induced coma for three weeks. 

Whilst I except that the lake water wasn't the direct cause of his death it drew my attention to the neglect the park has suffered since austerity cuts back in 2013 when Sefton Council where forced to make many of the park’s staff redundant.

David and Ann Cobham created a group of dedicated volunteers and a registered charity the BGCA. They have done an amazing job of keeping the park looking magnificent with sponsorships off local businesses. They plant beautiful floral displays and do everything they can , but there is only so much they can do.

Since beginning the campaign, the local community have been incredible. They’ve joined in, got involved, and through various projects we have to date raised in excess of £28,000.

Sefton Council are in the early stages of a bid for £5million off the National Lottery’s Heritage Funding. If achieved we could have the park back to its glorious best and reclaim its "Jewel of Southport" status.

In the glory days the lake had fountains, pedalos and rowing boats for visitors enjoyment , and many other things. It is our vision to see it back like this.

So, if you’re a regular attendee of the park, or a visitor, please help us by donating what you can. In a nutshell , for every £10 we raise Heritage Funding will match fund it with £100.

If we raise a further £2,000, that will take out total up to £30,000. In Heritage Funding terms that equates to £300, 000. This would mean that not only would the lake be cleaned up. The bridges could be restored too. 

Every penny helps in our bid.