Crowdfunder campaign has raised 95% of target with four days to go

A national television channel set up to support charities and local communities looks like it will win a reprieve and stay on air with a crowdfunder campaign having almost reached its target.

Community Channel UK was due to close this weekend but a desperate bid has seen £290,000 raised of a £300,000 target that will allow it to stay on air.

Money has come in from across the country from over 200 donors, including individuals submitting a few pounds to the likes of Sky investing £150,000 and the Big Lottery Fund pledging £50,000.

Communications charity Media Trust, which found and has run the channel for the past 16 years, said the money would enable the channel to become an independent community benefit society.

The idea is that over the next five years the channel will become self-financing as it grows advertising, sponsorship and grant income and launches new revenue streams.

Community Channel changes countless lives right across the UK, for our viewers, our charities and for hundreds of people whose talent we’ve nurtured

Alex Kann, Community Channel director, said: “We are now at 95% of our target so we just need 5% more funding. We are really keen to hit that as soon as possible so we can smash our target and get a bit above it.

“If you are thinking of pledging please pledge now because we want to really get the ball rolling as we head in to the weekend.

“We are heading in an exciting new direction. By giving the channel over to the community, we are empowering people to actively make a difference, and have an influence on the content that is created and distributed across the UK.

“Community Channel changes countless lives right across the UK, for our viewers, our charities and for hundreds of people whose talent we’ve nurtured.”

There are various levels of investment with a variety of exclusive rewards ranging from t-shirts and event access to having your name, company or organisation in promo trails or the opportunity to voice a series.

As an investor you get one vote towards how the channel is run and together investors will elect board representatives to ensure the channel is really reflecting its promise.

Kann added: “Community Channel has supported thousands of charities and communities, providing a showcase to a national audience that raises their visibility and increases tangible support for their good works.

“It drives demonstrable social impact. First viewers learn, then some share, then some change attitudes, then some become inspired, then some do more, either generally or specifically based on what they’ve seen. And the more you watch, the more you do to support your community.”