One of Renfrewshire’s most loved family attractions could close before the year is out as it aims to plug a gaping hole in its finances.
Lamont Farm Project has warned it is just months from closure as it scrambles to raise the £10,000 needed to get it through the winter.
The Erskine -based charity was founded by Charlie Doran in 1977 with the aim of opening up a farmyard and countryside to everyone, irrespective of their ability to pay.
But a reduction in grant funding from Renfrewshire Council, reduced donations and soaring costs of animal care has created a perfect financial storm for the volunteer-led organisation.
The charity has launched an emergency fundraiser in a desperate bid to make up the shortfall.
DON'T MISS:Site managers at housing developments in Lanarkshire scoop industry quality award
St Mirren still in contention for Conor McMenamin as Stephen Robinson 'hopeful' deal can be struck
MSP speaks out on future of Stonehouse Post Office after Postmaster quits
Yvonne Elliot, volunteer farm manager, said: “We are not trying to scare anyone but the reality is that without funding coming in we will be forced to close.
“We are only a few years off celebrating the farm’s 50th birthday but at present it looks unlikely that we will make it that far.
“It takes roughly £55k to £60k to run the farm – all money that is spent on making sure the animals have what they need.
“But this year we have been faced with the devastating news that we are receiving no funding from either the Local Partnership or Celebrating Renfrewshire grants.
“To give you an idea, this is a £15,000 shortfall even from last year.”
The devastating drop in grant funding has come amidst the cost-of-living crisis in which animal feed alone has doubled.
The farm is paying out over £250 every fortnight for food and an additional £500 for hay and straw every three weeks.
“That doesn’t take into account the gas, electricity and veterinary bills,” Yvonne said.
“Every penny we raise from fundraising goes towards caring for the animals and keeping them safe.
“It means we probably have enough to get us to the winter but not through all of winter.
“During the winter is when it costs us the most to care for animals.”
The farm is managed by a committee of 12 people who dedicate hours every week to generating fundraising ideas.
The farm regularly hosts fun days, auctions, raffles and tombola events to bolster the donations bucket which allows visitors to contribute what they can on any given day.
Free access is a decades-long ethos which is at the heart of what is now the last city farm in Scotland.
“We have never had a charge on the gate,” Yvonne said. “For some families it’s just not possible to pay and if we were to do that we would take away what the farm has always been about and that is providing access to all, to give everyone the same experience irrespective of their ability to pay. That’s what we have always tried to protect going forward.”
The ability to keep the farm afloat is crucial for the 50 animals that are housed there.
There are horses, donkeys, Shetland ponies, goats, rabbits, lamas and guinea-pigs – most of which have been rescued.
The farm even took in the animals from the now defunct pets corners in Barshaw and Robertson parks.
The cash flow issues are another hammer blow for the charity which has had a difficult few months.
Vandals set fire to an outbuilding in March before a thief snuck into the office three weeks ago and stole cash and jewellery that had been donated for auction. In all, £400 worth of goods was stolen.
“We are just devastated by all this,” Yvonne said. “We are just a charity trying to look after everyone, we have done nothing wrong.”
A spokesperson for Renfrewshire Council said the farm did not meet the criteria for the Celebrating Renfrewshire Fund while the charity had also not submitted a feedback report on how their previous year’s funding was used, as is required from the Local Partnership Fund.
He said: “We recognise the contribution Lamont Farm has made to the local community over the years. The farm has been well supported through public funds – having received a total of more than £42k of Local Partnership and Celebrating Renfrewshire funding since 2020.
“Our staff have reached out to Lamont Farm to offer our support to them with future funding applications and to develop new projects which could be funded, and we remain happy to help them however we can.”
To contribute to the online see here
Don't miss the latest Renfrewshire headlines – sign up to our free daily newsletter here
READ MORE: Site managers at housing developments in Lanarkshire scoop industry quality award
