From 2nd to 9th December, The Underfall Yard Trust is taking part in Big Give’s Christmas Challenge fundraising campaign. The Trust started works to rebuild workshops yesterday (1st December).  Underfall Yard still needs to raise £100,000 to implement improvements to meet modern boatbuilding needs and improve its community engagement works via a dedicated community space. The Trust has set an ambitious £10,000 fundraising target for Big Give week which, if met, will be doubled via the generous support of Seetru, Reed Foundation and Wring Group Limited.

All donations during the week-long campaign will go towards the Recovery and Reinstatement Project. The project was established after the devastating fire in May 2023, and so far has achieved the restoration of the Shipwrights’ building and brought boatbuilding firm Star Yachts back home to the Yard.

The Trust has just welcomed local construction company Stone BCI onto site to start the final phase of works to restore the yard. The 12-month building works will see the boatyard’s flagship building, the Big Shed, and its three adjoining workshops rebuilt to their original look and with materials appropriate to their historic origin. The fundraised £100,000 will be used to improve buildings to fit modern boatbuilding needs – for example through electrical services and the addition of doors – as well as converting one of the sheds into a space fit for education programmes focussed on boatbuilding and traditional maritime skills such as rope-making.

Sarah Murray, Director of Underfall Yard Trust says:

“Rebuilding Underfall Yard brings the buildings we know and love back to Bristol but, more than that, it is about what happens in the buildings. Traditional boatbuilding and maritime skills will once again be at the heart of the Yard.  We know how much the Yard means to the people of Bristol and beyond; we want nothing more than to be back to full strength as a working boatyard where visitors can see, hear and smell boatbuilding in action”

The Big Give team adds:

“The Christmas Challenge is the UK’s largest match funding campaign, raising more than £44.7 million for 1,267 charities in 2024 alone. Each year, we see how match funding empowers organisations to reach new supporters and accelerate their growth. We’re delighted to support Underfall Yard Trust in 2025 and to help double the donations that will enable this historic maritime site to continue its vital work.”

To find out more and support Underfall Yard in its recovery, visit the campaign page from 12pm on 2nd December. The campaign will close at 12pm on 9th December.

---

 

Pictures and video are available to download here and may be used in connection with this press release.