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The National (Scotland)
The National (Scotland)
National
Laura Pollock

Believe in Scotland smashes £60k fundraising target ahead of schedule

BELIEVE in Scotland (BiS) has smashed through its fundraising target of £60,000 eleven days ahead of schedule.

BiS’s sister campaigning group, Business for Scotland has matched the first £30,000 raised pound for pound.

The crowdfunder will continue to run until  November 3, 2023 with a new target of £70,000 and a "super stretch target" of £80,000 by St Andrew's Day. You can donate here.

Two new business donors have come forward to offer another £5,000 each if the crowdfunder can reach the renewed targets in the remaining 11 days.

The group, which has a democratic coalition of 142 local and national grassroots Yes groups working together to promote Scottish independence, is managed by a national campaign steering group.

It is operated and funded independently, away from any political party.

Campaigners have been told to keep an eye out for "a new initiative" launching next week.

The group also hope to be able to announce the date of their next march and rally as well as reveal the idea behind the raffle of the painting by Wee Scribbles.

The donations from businesses cover the costs of offices, warehousing, staff and administration costs, explained founder Gordon MacIntyre-Kemp.

He added: "That is so public donations can be 100% dedicated to campaigning materials, billboards, events, polling, research, social media advertising and engagement, marches and rallies and much more.

"We ringfence that money, not through accounting practices but by placing all public donations in a separate interest-paying bank account and we will account for every penny in and every penny out to the national steering group.”

MacIntyre-Kemp credited the Yes movement with the support shown.

He said: “We are humbled and so grateful for the mass support shown for our campaigning activities and not only are we blown away by the support so far.

"This success is testament to the fact that the wider yes movement understands the vital role a professional, democratic, well-organised and well-funded grassroots-led campaign is vital to moving the cause forward.”

He also criticised political parties for their lack of campaigning.

“It seems that the politicians are moribund when it comes to pure independence campaigning, too tied up in infighting and political stramashes to make the case for independence properly.

"An independent grassroots-led campaign that includes almost every active campaign group is vital to the independence movement."

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