Great North Museum: Hancock campaign launches
Nov 22 2008 by Sam Wood, The Journal
MUSEUM goers in the North East have a chance to leave a permanent mark on the region’s newest attraction.
An opportunity to get involved with the Great North Museum: Hancock, is launching today.
“Be Part of It” is a campaign to encourage people to show their support for the new museum, which will open its doors in April next year. The Hancock is to have a £27m renovation and will house the natural history collections and archaeological treasures from the Hancock, Museum of Antiquities and Shefton (Greek) Museum at Newcastle University.
The “Be Part of it” campaign gives people an opportunity to make donations towards the new facility. Everyone who does so will have their name permanently listed on the museum’s walls.
The donations will enable 30,000 school children every year to experience the new attraction.
Donors will also be encouraged to share their stories about what the museum means to them. These stories will be displayed on the museum website.
One of the first people whose name will appear on the “Be Part of It” wall is Olympic gold medal winner, Jonathan Edwards, who is patron of the campaign.
He said: “The Great North Museum: Hancock reflects everything that is great about our region. The building and the history of the collections are firmly rooted in the culture of the North East.
“The museum has something for everyone, which is why I’m proud to be patron of the Be Part of It campaign.”
Alec Coles, Director of Tyne and Wear Museums, said: “The successful education programmes that underpin our museums and galleries are an important part of Tyne & Wear Museums’ mission and is central to the future of the Great North Museum: Hancock.
“Supporting this campaign is a great way for people in the region to inspire the children and young people upon whom the future of the North East depends.
“Making a donation on behalf of a family member whose name then appears on the wall of the museum could also be a really unusual Christmas present.”
To find out more, visit www.twmuseums.org.uk/greatnorthmuseum/bepartofit, contact Kevin Taylor on (0191) 277-2173 or email bepartofit@twmuseums.org.uk
Get involved
We want your memories of the Hancock.
Thousands of readers will have fond memories of the museum. We’re appealing for reminiscences from old and young alike to help build up a picture of the affection the North has for this remarkable place. Go to www.journallive.co.uk and click on the ‘Send your stories’ link on the homepage.
Or you can email them to matt.mckenzie@ncjmedia.co.uk and we’ll put them into a special section on the website and publish some in the paper too.
