THE ambitious appeal to get the 60-year-old Maid of the Loch sailing again has breached the six-figure mark after less than nine months.
The fund now stands at £102,442 - thanks to individual donations from home and abroad.
A delighted Phil Preston, chairman of the Loch Lomond Steamship Company, owner of the Balloch-moored paddle steamer, said: "This is a magnificent total and shows the support there is to get the Maid sailing again.
"We've enjoyed a great year and to have achieved over £100,000 in less than nine months is quite remarkable."
The sum consists of more than 300 donations from all over the UK, as well as from Canada, America and Switzerland.
Donors include actors Timothy West and Prunella Scales, both long-term Maid enthusiasts, and Hannah Stirling MBE, president of the Friends of Loch Lomond & the Trossachs.
The Maid, which last sailed in 1981, needs £3.3 million to get it sailing again as it requires a new boiler and upgrading in order to meet maritime safety standards.
A proposed new building on Balloch pier would cost an extra £900,000 and would provide an all-year-round visitor facility. The charity is discussing proposals by Glasgow architects, studioKAP, for this.
It has also met representatives of the Heritage Lottery Fund for funding for the Maid appeal, repairs to Balloch Pier, and the new visitor centre.
Mr Preston added: "These are exciting times for us. The project to get the Maid sailing again is really taking off. We would like to thank everyone who has contributed to the appeal.
"If they keep up their support, we will get the Maid's paddles turning again."
l To donate to the Maid of the Loch appeal, visit www.maidoftheloch.com or send a cheque to LLSC, PO Box 9401, Gourock PA 19 1NB
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