A fundraising campaign to enable the public to explore the Second World War tunnels running under Maidstone Girls Grammar School (MGGS) has been given a major boost thanks to a history dating back over 100 years.
Rochester Bridge Trust, which provided the funding that enabled the founding of MGGS in 1887, has agreed to match-fund donations towards the school’s new Second World War Visitor Centre, up to £50,000.
Lila Brewer, Development Trust and Alumni Relations Officer at the school, said: “We’re thrilled by this match-funding agreement with the Rochester Bridge Trust. To be able to double donations up to £50,000 will make a massive difference to our plans to build this visitor centre.
“Our relationship with the Trust spans 138 years and we are extremely grateful for their continuing support in helping MGGS to invest in its future and preserve its past.”
The Visitor Centre, which will include a replica 1940s classroom, is designed to enable more of the community to experience the Second World War tunnels situated within the school grounds. This is one individual element of a larger development project to create a new building to house the centre, five science laboratories, a new music suite and the history department.
Nicola Parks, Director of Charitable Projects at the Rochester Bridge Trust, said: “Just as it did when funding the foundation of MGGS, the Trust is pleased to be able to support the growth of education and community engagement by match-funding donations towards this new visitor centre. We wish the school well with its fundraising campaign.”
For more information about the school’s campaign or to donate https://mggs.ptly.uk/donatenow or to find out about grants from the Rochester Bridge Trust see www.rbt.org.uk/grants
