Portsmouth MP Stephen Morgan hosted the Mary Rose Trust at a reception in parliament with the launch of their new legacy programme, marking 40 years of the historic raising of the Mary Rose from the Solent seabed.
Since being raised from the Solent, the Mary Rose has found a home in Portsmouth as a worldclass museum and visitor attraction, showcasing a breadth of history from when the ship was built in 1545 to the present day.
The reception saw talented musical performances from St John’s and St Edmund’s Catholic Schools, with a few words of welcome from Mr Morgan, and with Dominic Jones, Chief Executive, launching the legacy programme.
Donations to the Mary Rose Trust provide vital financial support for the museum, enabling them to make a difference through inspiring future generations and protecting the unique window in Britain’s history.
Following the event, Stephen Morgan MP said:
“The Mary Rose is a national treasure that the people of Portsmouth have been proud to home since it was raised from the Solent 40 years ago”.
“I want to pay tribute to all those involved in the excavation and who have continued to contribute to its lasting legacy of historic, marine and scientific achievement. It was a pleasure to host the reception in Parliament and to show my continued support for the museum, the team and their vital work”.
“I warmly encourage those who are able to support the Trust to do so, to ensure this legacy can continue in many future generations to come”.
Chief Executive of the Mary Rose, Dominic Jones said:
“It was a privilege to launch our new legacy scheme at the Houses of Parliament. Our legacy scheme is going to help us achieve financial sustainability and, more importantly, achieve the continued conservation of the Mary Rose for centuries to come”.
“84% of all our revenue comes from ticket sales; we do not receive any public funding. Therefore, fundraising through legacy giving and donations is crucial for the continued survival and protection of the largest collection of everyday life in Tudor England and one of the world’s most significant maritime archaeological operations ever”.
“Through fundraising we can continue to tell the stories of Tudor life and human endeavour for the inspiration, engagement, education, and benefit of all”.
The legacy programme offers unique and bespoke means of donating, to find out more please contact development@maryrose.org.
