In 2023 we aim to continue the exciting progress we have made on our project, Restoring Folkestone’s Gem for the Community, as we move closer to bringing the much-loved Leas Lift back to life with 21st century facilities. We were delighted at the end of 2021 when our application to the National Lottery Heritage Fund was successful.

Together with the Section 106 funding from the development of the seafront by the Folkestone Harbour and the generous contributions from our donors we have nearly sectured our target. In 2022 we began our fundraising to raise the remaining money needed (without which our National Lottery Heritage Fund grant will be withdrawn). We made positive progress across 2022 and 2023 will see our campaign continue to approach trusts and foundations, companies, individuals and our community.

We set a target of raising £180,000 from local business, individuals and community and to date we have raised over £35,000 of our target. 2023 will see our final push, with the launch of various initiatives including our comedy night at the Leas Cliff Hall on the 27th May and our Crowd Funding appeal, all of which we hope you will support.

In the meantime, if you would like to contribute or get involved in the project you can
donate on this page or email leaslift@vidi.co.uk.

Each and every donation will take us one step closer to our goal. Restoring Folkestone’s Gem for the Community will secure the future of one of only three remaining water-balanced lifts in the country – a rare and remarkable survival. Repairs and conservation works will be undertaken to make the Lift usable again and fully accessible to all. It will be a welcoming space for everyone irrespective of background, abilities and learning needs and there will be a wide range of exciting activities and enhanced visitor facilities including an extended café – building on its existing popularity. We hope you share our enthusiasm for this transformational project and give it your support.