FORD Park will celebrate its proud place in Ulverston's community as it kicks off a week-long campaign to boost its numbers.

After clearing its debts in 2016, the charity-run park is hoping to attract 1,000 new members to ensure it can be enjoyed for decades to come.

"Membership week" will start this Saturday and is asking the people of Ulverston to #loveyourfordpark by signing up as a member of the park.

Ali Alger, chief executive of the Ford Park Community Group which runs the park, said: "We're a charity that's relevant for the whole community. We work with schools and other community groups, we have value as an amenity, and our educational role. Our reach and impact is far beyond the boundaries of the park."

The park is keen to engage with members of the community who may not know it is a charity and is not funded by the county council.

The motivating factor behind membership week is to get people to sign up and contribute £2 a month to the park.

The community group estimates that if 1,000 sign up, that will provide one quarter of the park's funding for a year.

Mrs Alger said: "We're looking to change our funding strategy. We've relied on grants and loans in the past, we've just cleared all of that and don't want to go down that route again."

Since buying the park from the local authority, the park has successfully managed to clear £750,000 of debt, and is now making steps to make itself as financially sustainable as possible.

This Saturday park staff will be in the town's market hall to speak to members of the public about getting involved in the park.

Bethan Procter, marketing and administrative support at the park, said: "We want to chat with the people that we don't get to talk to. We want to make sure that we engage with everybody."

On Tuesday the park will host pupils from Sir John Barrow School who will lend a hand in planting a winter garden, showcasing the educational potential of the park.

On Wednesday staff and invited guests, including Ulverston mayor, Councillor Mark Wilson, will be scaling Hoad to show their support for the membership initiative. As the sun sets, the monument will be lit up green to match the colour of the park.

To find out more about events during membership week or to become a park member, visit the Facebook page , connect with the group on Twitter with #loveyourfordpark or visit the website at www.ford-park-org.uk.

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