Spring’s Bridge on the Caldon Canal in the Churnet Valley
The appointment of Ruth Ruderham as the first ever head of fundraising for the new charity that is being set up to manage canals and rivers in England and Wales is another major step forward towards its expected launch in 2012. Last week, new transition trustees for the charity were also announced.
Ruth has more than a decade of fundraising experience and will come to the new waterways charity from Christian Aid, where she has helped them to grow income beyond £100m for the first time in their history. She has also previously worked at Friends of the Earth and Crisis, and in 2005 was named Professional Fundraiser of the Year.
Simon Salem, director of marketing at British Waterways, says: “The nation’s 200-year-old canals need a sustainable plan for their future, which is why we have been championing the move to charitable status for some time. Voluntary fundraising will be an important part of this and I extend a very warm welcome to Ruth, who joins the team with an outstanding record in fundraising growth, strategy and, most importantly, income. Ruth will lead the waterways charity into a new era of voluntary giving. It’s one of the most exciting fundraising challenges around right now.”
Ruth says: “I am delighted to join British Waterways at this critical stage in the history of the waterways and it is an incredible privilege to be the first fundraiser the new charity will ever employ. The plans that British Waterways have already developed are really exciting and I can’t wait to start recruiting supporters of this unique and important cause.”
Ruth will further develop the voluntary fundraising strategy for the new charity which has been put together by British Waterways and specialists Think Consulting.
The new waterways charity will hold in trust for the nation 2,000 miles of canals and rivers, and the third largest estate of Listed structures in the country. Britain’s waterways also provide a unique haven for people and wildlife, offering distinctive local tranquillity to some 13 million visitors every year.
Photograph © Copyright Roger Kidd and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence.
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