Two councils have announced their intention to donate £100,000 to the Staffordshire Hoard fund.
The unique discovery of Anglo Saxon gold was unearthed in a field near Lichfield and although £3.3million has already been raised to keep the artefacts in the region, a further £1.7million is needed before the items can go on display.
But that target was reduced thanks to the news that Staffordshire County Council and Tamworth Borough Council will make a £100,000 contribution.
Staffordshire County Council Leader Philip Atkins said:
“This funding shows the commitment Staffordshire Authorities have to bringing the Staffordshire Hoard back to the region. This is a long term investment in the county’s heritage and in our future, and we are doing out utmost to be able to show the hoard in the region it was discovered.
“County Councillors have donated nearly £40,000 from their Local Community Fund, while money is still coming in from a number of fund-raising events. “
Staffordshire County Council is donating more than £80,000 while Tamworth Borough Council will be giving £20,000 to the fund. Lichfield District Council will announce their contribution after a meeting to discuss the issue on April 6.
Steve Claymore, Cabinet Member for Economic Development & Enterprise at Tamworth Borough Council added:
“It is absolutely fantastic news that the Staffordshire Hoard is staying where it belongs – in the Midlands. We have been committed to this since the discovery was made and this donation will help to ensure we can display and interpret the hoard properly.
“We always knew the securing the hoard was just the first step; now the hard work really gets underway to make sure the region gets to showcase the gold.”
