A crowdfunding campaign offering people the chance to win a flat in Pateley Bridge is set to end on Christmas Day.
Lisa Bowerman and her fiancé Nick launched their competition through Crowdfunder 20 months ago and hope to reach their £130,000 target by the time it closes at midday on December 25.
At the time of going to press, it had generated £103,000.
The campaign aims to raise enough money to install new lighting at Stump Cross Caverns. The current lights have been in place since 1948.
Ms Bowerman said this would not only “preserve and protect the cave” but also be more sustainable and environmentally friendly because the system would use less energy. The lights will only come on if there are people in the cave. Ms Bowerman also said that the new system would minimise algae growth.
Tickets to win Ms Bowerman’s one-bedroom apartment on Pateley Bridge High Street cost £10.
An image of the flat.
Ms Bowerman said:
“Once the winner is announced they can pick up the keys there and then.”
She explained there would need to be discussions with solicitors to change the property into the winner’s name, but after that it’s theirs.
The couple have held multiple fundraisers to draw attention to the campaign, including their 105-hour sleepover in the caves that took place in October 2021.
Lisa and Nick have also been taking part in a 105-day bike challenge to raise money for the campaign. The number of days relates to Geoff Workman, who lived in the cavern for 105 days on his own in 1963.
More recently, they held another sleepover in the cave, where they took 12 people down with them from 9pm to 9am.
Ms Bowerman said:
“It was full within hours of launching the idea.”
However, of the 12 that Ms Bowerman took down, only eight lasted the full 12 hours because of the cold and damp.
Read more:
- Stump Cross Caverns owners live underground for 105 hours
- Stump Cross owners to raffle their £130,000 flat
In the lead up to the closing date, Ms Bowerman has been doing “everything she can” to get the message out there, including updating social media platforms including TikTok “every waking minute” to try to reach as many people as possible.
Lisa and Nick want to improve the cave lighting.
Stump Cross Caverns has awarded free meals in the cafe and cinema to the public as part of their marketing drive.
Ms Bowerman said that when the lights are being fitted, the caves will close for a period of time.
If the campaign does not reach its target of £130,00 by midday on Christmas day then the supporters will receive a full refund and the campaign will be declared unsuccessful.
Click here to visit the Crowdfunder page.
