The Board of Trustees of the Romney Marsh Community Hub charity, which this year marks its 50th anniversary serving the Marsh, has launched an urgent fundraising appeal to raise £150,000 to safeguard essential services for local residents.
The charity has been hit hard by a combination of soaring operating costs, reduced public funding, and a significant loss of income following the temporary closure of the car park beside the Hub on the Beach café in Greatstone.
Chairman of Trustees, Neil McClure, said:
‘’Two years ago the Trustees could already see the warning signs. Funding for local charities like ours was becoming increasingly uncertain, with local authority contributions reducing next year and a far tougher and more competitive grant-funding landscape nationwide.
To build resilience and protect our future, we invested in new income streams — opening our charity shop on New Romney High Street and launching Hub on the Beach (HOTB), a café and community events space in Greatstone.
This year everything changed. Minimum wage and National Insurance adjustments increased our staffing costs by over 10% overnight. Then the closure at short notice of the car park at Greatstone adjoining the HOTB happened in April for the redevelopment of the beach huts and visitor centre. That unexpected closure, cost us nearly £100,000 in lost turnover throughout the summer. The further delay in reopening the car park has now forced us to cancel our planned Christmas reopening, further deepening our losses.
Despite these setbacks, the Trustees remain confident in the long term future of the charity. With the support of our dedicated staff, volunteers, and community, we are determined to serve Romney Marsh for many years to come’’
Chief Executive, Liz Taylor, added:
‘’It is deeply unfortunate that – after taking deliberate steps to strengthen our financial resilience – our reserves were hit by the dual impact sudden cost increases and unavoidable income loss from Hub on the Beach.
Throughout the last eighteen months, we have continued to innovate and expand our services, not retreat from them. Most significantly the launch of The Marsh Bee – Dial a Ride service to help get older residents of Romney Marsh to their hospital and GP appointments. We supported the launch of the award-winning The Shuffler by Trainor Jim, a seated exercise device designed to help improve mobility, support confidence, and keep you active and independent.
We are moving forward with plans to open a new Skills Hub and once the Coast Drive car park, behind Hub on the Beach, reopens we will be able to offer an expanded programme of activities seven days a week.
But right now, we need the community’s help.
Together, we can keep the Hub strong – and keep it here for everyone who needs it.
Thank you for standing with us. Your kindness keeps our community alive.”
Donations may also be made directly at our two Hubs or Charity shops in New Romney and Rye or via our website www.rmch.org.uk .
we have also started a Crowdfunder, details can be found here: