supporting companies, organisations & fund raising

When one adopts a railway station with the aim of restoring it, two major hurdles must be overcome: being taken seriously and raising enough money to meet the set goals. For Friends of Bishopstone Station (FOBS), adopting the station and fundraising for the Community Hub was a significant learning experience. It required immense drive and determination, particularly from Barbara Mine, the Chairman of FOBS, to bring us to where we are now—with a fully functioning Community Hub.

Our fundraising journey began in 2019 when the Seaford Council Grants (SCG) opened for local community groups and organisations. We applied and were successfully awarded £500, which contributed towards a station building survey and an architectural feasibility study.

From that point onward, we launched a determined fundraising campaign. With the support of the rail operator GTR and Network Rail, we secured additional funding for improvements to the station building and eventually the restoration of the old Parcel Room. As the campaign progressed, interest in our project grew, leading to increased FOBS membership and further financial support from various sources. We also turned to crowdfunding via a JustGiving page and stayed updated on available grants from local and national organisations.

Completing grant applications was a challenge in itself. Many applications were declined, forcing us to review our failures and learn from them. As we approached the final stages of funding for Phase 1, there were moments when we doubted if we would reach our target. However, thanks to a quiz night, auction event, local donations, and a major last-minute funding boost, we successfully completed the new “Old Parcel Room Community Hub.”

This is not the end of our fundraising efforts. The Community Hub is just one step in a broader vision. FOBS’ ultimate goal is to fully restore Bishopstone Station to its original Art Deco glory, a task that will require substantial funding. Continued support through donations and targeted funds is crucial to transforming Bishopstone Station into the asset it truly deserves to be.