A HUGE fundraising drive has been launched by the Canal and River Trust to mend the breach in the Trent and Mersey Canal.

It has already raised more than £10,500, with donations even coming in from voluntary societies and fellow charities, but the repairs will cost more than £1milliion.

The Trent and Mersey Canal Society has given £1,000 to the trust after appealing to its 200 members.

Nigel Hughes, chairman of the society, explained why the canal is so important.

He said: “This is one of the earliest canals at 245 years old and one of the trunk arterial canals, literally linking the Trent with the Mersey, as well as being part of the Cheshire Ring, a cruising waterway.

“In terms of canals with historic importance I would say this is in the top three in the country.

“It’s a beautiful waterway with some fantastic scenery on its length – in 92 miles it goes through the most diverse scenery and landscape possible.

“A huge amount of business relies heavily on this waterway and it brings a huge amount of money into England.”

Nigel is also chief executive of Birkenhead YMCA, which keeps a boat on the Trent and Mersey Canal and which has also donated £250 to the cause.

“We told a number of the lads what had happened and they decided they wanted to do something to help so they held sponsored car washes and litter picks,” he said.

“What’s important about this is that these are homeless people and therefore quite a difficult group to engage with.

“But they’ve sailed this water many times and feel it’s a safe refuge.

“They’re trying to make a contribution and that sends out a clear message to the community that this is an important cause.”

  • For more information about donating to the Canal and River Trust visit canalrivertrust.org.uk/breach.

The trust has also set up a text donation line to give £5 – simply text BREACH to 70800.