Accrington Stanley mural project one step closer after hitting funding target

An exciting new mural celebrating Accrington Stanley’s rich history and Accrington’s heritage is one step closer after the project hit its funding target.

The project received the support of 69 backers, but surpassed its initial target of £18,021 after an 11th hour pledge of more than £4,000 from nine #AmazingAccrington business leaders.

Without that pledge the project would have been unable to continue, but with hours remaining before the deadline, the initiative will now go ahead, with the mural set to be installed on The Crown Pub next to Accrington Stanley’s Wham Stadium.

#AmazingAccrington business leaders who pledged to support the project included Scott Dawson Advertising’s Murray Dawson, Jonathan Wolstenholme of Whiteacres Property, Mike Berry, Globe Enterprises’ Stuart Nevison, Stuart Rogan, Jason Rawson from Trevor Dawson, John McGregor of Haworths Financial Services, Craig Fishwick from Mayes Accountants and Sean Keenan.

Led by The Official Accrington Stanley Supporters’ Trust (OASST), other backers included the OASST themselves (£2,150) and public pledges of £4,568 featuring an anonymous pledge of £2,150 from an Accrington Stanley supporting couple. Learn more here: https://www.spacehive.com/accrington-stanley-mural

A total of £7,415 was also pledged by Lancashire County Council’s Lancashire Culture & Sport Fund, after an application for funding was made by #AmazingAccrington.

The project will see local artists, volunteers and community members collaborating together, bringing local people together to produce a spectacular piece of art, as well as bringing a sense of pride and a conversation starter for local residents, Accrington Stanley supporters and the people of Hyndburn.

OASST Chairman, Peter Leatham, said: "We are delighted that we have hit our target and we can’t thank everyone enough for making their pledges and supporting us.

“It went very close to the wire but the #AmazingAccrington business leaders came up trumps for us after a shout out on the last day by Murray Dawson, and now we are all looking forward to the next stage of the process.

“The hard work starts now and we look forward to developing the project early in the New Year.”

Warren Eastham, Commercial Director at Accrington Stanley, said: “It has been fantastic to see all the community coming together to support something which will become a huge part of our town, and we are really looking forward to seeing the project getting underway.”

Murray Dawson, Chair of #AmazingAccrington, said: “As business leaders we are passionate about Accrington and supporting it in anyway we can.

“On behalf of #AmazingAccrington I would like to thank everyone for supporting us at the 11th hour to keep the dream of this project alive.”

Will Gilmartin, Landlord of The Crown Pub, said: “We can’t wait to see the project come to fruition. It will create a real sense of civic space and pride, plus it will be a tourist attraction in its own right.”

You can see more about the OASST here: www.onstanleyon.com