As we mark a major milestone, the 140th anniversary of the Folkestone Leas Lift, we are proud to launch a unique fundraising campaign that brings together heritage, storytelling, and community spirit.
The Leas Lift Time Capsule Crowdfunder invites you to leave a message for the future while supporting the restoration of one of Folkestone’s most iconic landmarks.
About the Campaign
The Folkestone Leas Lift has been a part of the town’s history for 140 years. It has connected the seafront to the Leas promenade for generations, serving as a symbol of engineering innovation and sustainable design.
Now, as the Lift prepares to reopen, we want the public to play a meaningful role in its next chapter.
Through this campaign, you can make a donation and contribute a personal message to a time capsule. This will be preserved either digitally or physically, becoming a lasting part of the site.
How You Can Take Part
There are three donation levels, each offering a special way to be involved.
£10 donation
Your message will be included in a digital time capsule. This will be shared with the public at the Leas Lift and through our digital channels over time.
£100 donation
In addition to digital inclusion, you will receive a VIP invitation to the Leas Lift’s 140th Anniversary Celebration on Sunday 21 September 2025.
£250 donation
Your message will be engraved on a brass plate and permanently fixed to one of 104 newly installed railway sleepers at the site. You will also receive the digital inclusion and a VIP event invitation.
£500 donation
Your message will be engraved on a brass plate and permanently fixed to one of 104 newly installed railway sleepers at the site. You will also receive the digital inclusion and a VIP event invitation PLUS a special ride on the Leas Lift pre-opening.
This is your chance to leave a lasting impression and help shape the future of a local landmark.
A Time Capsule for Folkestone
All messages, whether engraved or digital, will form part of a time capsule that will be installed in the cliffside next to the Leas Lift. It will be unveiled during a special community event in September.
Of the 104 brass plates, 20 will be allocated to community groups in Folkestone. The remaining 84 are available to the public on a first-come, first-served basis.
Why This Matters
This campaign is about more than fundraising. It is about giving the people of Folkestone a voice and a way to be remembered.
Whether you leave a memory, a message of hope, or a tribute to someone special, your words will help tell the story of the town for future generations.
All funds raised will support the final stages of restoration and the long-term care of the Leas Lift.
Leave Your Message Today
To add your message to the time capsule and support the restoration of the Folkestone Leas Lift, visit: https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/folkestone-leas-lift-time-capsule-campaign
Your message can be part of something truly lasting. Help us celebrate the past, preserve the present, and look to the future.
