On the 1st of March we are launching a Crowdfunder in a bid to secure the future of our magazine, Pushing Out the Boat.

Like many charities and arts organisations, we have been hit hard by the impact of Covid. It was a major achievement that we were able to produce a new issue of the magazine during a lockdown. But we were unable to launch it with our usual face-to-face event of readings and exhibition of art work. Our vendors were either closed or operating under severe restrictions for much of the last two years. And we were unable to hold or contribute to any other physical events. The result is that both our sales and income have fallen significantly.

Unlike many arts organisations we receive no state funding and are run entirely by volunteers.

Contributions to our fundraiser will not only help us produce our next magazine, Issue 17, in spring next year, but more importantly provide us with the resource to ensure that we are sustainable in the longer-term.

You will find all the details on our Crowdfunder page where, as a token of our thanks, we are offering a series of modest rewards for different levels of donation. Additionally, one lucky donor will receive a signed manuscript copy of  ‘Walrus’, a delightful new story contributed to our fundraiser by long-serving former editor Martin Walsh. The first chapter of this story is already posted on our blog where further chapters will follow weekly, throughout the fundraising campaign.

Don’t forget that if you are a UK standard rate taxpayer we can claim Gift Aid on your donation from Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs, increasing the value of your contribution to us by 25%.

During the  campaign, which will run till the 1st April, we will post regular updates here and on our Facebook, Twitter and Instagram accounts. Feel free to like or share any of the posts there as well as passing on this news to any of your contacts who might be happy to donate.

Thank you for your help.