Let hard work begin (From Bucks Free Press)

Let hard work begin

10:58am Tuesday 7th March 2006 in

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LIBRARY campaigners in Micklefield are launching an appeal to raise the cash needed to keep their library open.

The Micklefield Library Action Group (MLAG), a group of concerned library users, has set themselves an initial target of £18,752 to enable them to keep the library open for a further eight months.

In that time the group hope to receive lottery funds that will give them the chance to realise their dream for a new multi-purpose community building, including a fully stocked library and computer suite.

To raise funds the group will be holding a prize draw in May with prizes including £500, a laptop computer and hampers donated by Keith Hill Butchers in Micklefield Road.

Every Saturday leading up to the draw on Saturday, March 4, the library campaigners will take to the streets to sell tickets.

Tickets will also be on sale at Micklefield Library for £1 and the Murco garage in Micklefield Road every Saturday morning.

Dave Cannings, 46, chairman of MLAG, said: "This money would give us time to keep the library up and running, and hopefully we will hear good news from the lottery in the summer."

The Free Press and our sister paper Midweek have backed the campaign to save Micklefield library since proposals to close it were announced by Bucks County Council in October last year.

The Bucks Foundation have also given their support by agreeing to keep hold of all the money raised by the campaigners until they need it.

Mike Sparke, director of the Bucks Foundation, said: "We, as the community foundation for the whole county, are delighted to be supporting and helping this drive to keep what is an essential service going.

"We are acting as recipients for the money, which we hope will be flooding in."

Mr Cannings added: "The group would like to express our heartfelt thanks to all who have rallied to our aid to keep a much-needed library in Micklefield."

Anyone who wants to make a donation should send cheques made payable to the Buckinghamshire Foundation, at Unit 4, Farmborough Close, Stocklake Park, Aylesbury, HP 20 1DQ and write MLAG on the back.