THE Young Friends of West Bank Park are supporting a bid to transform the old park-keeper’s lodge.

Children and parents joined the ‘Back The Backhouse’ campaign, raising £31 through cake sales at their annual celebration party.

Since July, the West Bank Park Heritage Project has been fundraising for a feasibility study to transform the old park-keeper’s lodge in West Bank Park into a centre to celebrate the world-famous James Backhouse Plant Nurseries, known as the Kew of the North.

James Backhouse (1794-1869) was a philanthropist, a botanist and Quaker missionary, who travelled from York to Australia in 1832 and continued his mission to South Africa and Mauritius, writing journals and collecting plants throughout his travels.

The West Bank Park Heritage Project includes plans to develop a café, exhibition space and education rooms.

Jane Cullen Founder of the Project said “Online crowdfunding has been a great success. We have already received £2280 of the £5000 target, including a £1000 anonymous donation. People still have until August 26 to add their contribution. No matter how small, if we all work together we can make this happen”.

The West Bank Park Heritage Project was set up by local residents in 2013 and has received encouraging letters from supporters including Mount School alumni Dame Judi Dench, actress Sheila Hancock, Eden Project Sir Tim Smit and Horrible Histories creator Terry Deary

You can donate at www.indiegogo.com/projects/the-backhouse/story